Branko goes on vacation

2010 World/Africa Cup qualifier

Remaining fixtures
Sept. 7
Rwanda v Ethiopia
October 12
Mauritania v Rwanda

Amavubi Stars returned home yesterday from Morocco after the 2-0 loss to the Atlas Lions in the 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifier played on Saturday in Casablanca.

The serene Amavubi players, who showed signs of fatigue, returned without their head coach Branko Tucak who flew to his native Croatia immediately after his team’s defeat.

According to Ferwafa vice president Vedaste Kayiranga, the Croat requested for the leave even before the team made the trip to Casablanca.

Another member on the delegation who did not returned with the team was Bobo Bola but Kayiranga noted that the Swedish-based striker rejoined his second division club Laudkronabouis, who are still playing their league.

Despite losing to Morocco, Rwanda is still confident and unperturbed by the loss but focus has been shifted to the remaining qualifiers.

Speaking to Times Sport upon their return, skipper Olivier Karekezi said that the team’s morale remains intact despite the loss."We still have two fixtures left to reach the third round and out target is snatch the crucial points needed in order to reach the next round,” Karekezi said.

The Norway-based striker attributed Amavubi’s defeat against the Atlas Lions to a number of issues including fatigue encountered on the way to Morocco and the referee who awarded an 11th minute penalty to the hosts and the red card for Elias Ntaganda, which reduced Amavubi to ten men in the second half.

Morocco’s Youssef Safri and El Zhar Nabir scored the goals for the home side as they ended Rwanda’s unbeaten run.

Ends