Rwanda’s quarter-final hopes hang in balance

TuesdayGroup ASouth Sudan vs Ethiopia 1pmKenya vs Zanzibar 3pmYesterdayGroup CRwanda 0-1 SudanUganda 3-0 EritreaRWANDA’S POOR run at the ongoing Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup continued on Monday after losing their second successive group match against Sudan at the Nairobi City stadium, putting their hopes of qualifying to the quarter-final in serious doubt.Sudan scored their winning goal through Salah Ibrahim, who easily dispossessed Amavubi defender Ismail Nshutiyamara near the halfway line in the 29th minute before smashing a long range shot that gave goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiyi no chance whatsoever.Sudan became the first team to qualify to the last eight having also beaten Eritrea 3-0 in the opening match on Friday. Sudan was joined by the defending champions Uganda, who thrashed Eritrea’s Red Sea Boys 3-0 in the day’s other match.Eric Nshimiyimana’s underperforming team, with zero point, will go into the last group match against Eritrea (zero pts) on Thursday knowing their destiny is all but out of their hands, especially if Kenya (4 points) don’t beat Zanzibar (3 pts) and Tanzania (4 pts) fail to get all three points against Burundi (3 pts).With two loses, Rwanda can only qualify to the last eight as one of two best third-placed team, something made even more complicated by the fact they will need to beat Eritrea by more three goals and pray that both Zanzibar and Burundi lose.If Tanzania draw against Burundi and Kenya does the same for Zanzibar, it will see Amavubi join the likes of Eritrea, South Sudan and Somalia on the next flight back home.Zanzibar are in third position in Group A with three points and -1 goal difference, while Burundi are third in Group B three points and +1 goal difference. Rwanda are also third in Group C but with -2 goal difference.Amavubi had chance to get their first goal of the tournament against Sudan had it not been for the lack of composure by the two strikers Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge.On Sunday, Tanzania won 1-0 over Somalia, while guest team Zambia got their first win of the tournament over Burundi 1-0. Tanzania and Zambia drew their first game and Burundi beat Somalia.

Sports

Rwanda’s quarter-final hopes hang in balance