PHOTOS: Niyonzima header earns Rwanda a point against Senegal in Huye

A stoppage time equalizer from Olivier Niyonzima aided Rwanda to hold Senegal to a 1-all draw at Huye Stadium on Saturday night, September 9 to finish the 2023 AFCON Group L qualifier s campaign with a fair result. The Kiyovu SC skipper scored on his return to the national team from which he was axed in November 2021 due to what the FA referred to as bad conduct. The game started well for both sides with each of the two teams trying to hold the ball and exert influence on the game. The first clear chance of the game fell to Bosco Ruboneka in the 14th minute after he latched onto a second ball from a corner kick but his strike went off target. ALSO READ: Amavubi aiming to sting Senegal in final AFCON qualifier Senegal settled into the game from the 20th minute mark with some good play from their wings. Their attackers were blunt as Isaac Mitima and Ange Mutsinzi put the brakes on them. Rwanda took control of the game in midfield with skippers Djihad Bizimana serving as the fulcrum of the team. The Kryvbas enforcer won most of the balls in his own half and set up the tone for Amavubi to attack. Lague Byiringiro saw an effort flying over the bar in the 30th minute before goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari pulled a magnificent save from Papy Diop to keep Rwanda in the game. The first half ended goalless quite a few chances created from either side. The Second half saw the Teranga Lions pushing more men forward as they sought for the opener. Senegal had a free kick in the 65th minute which was converted by Cheikh Tidiane, the ball found an unmarked Mamadou Lamine Camara who soared high to head the ball past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari to make it 1-0. Rwanda made three changes as they brought on Muhadjiri Hakizimana, Ramadhan Niyibizi and Didier Mugisha for skipper Djihad Bizimana, Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha respectively. The team has since built their game around the trio who added more bite to their attack. Amavubi bombarded the vital area of Senegal in the last ten minutes of the game as they equalized in the 98th minute through Olivier Niyonzima who outwitted his marker to head home the equalizer from the corner. The referee blew his final whistle to end the game a minute later with the scores at 1-1. Earlier in the day, Clésio Bauque’s stoppage time winner inspired the Mambas of Mozambique to a 3-2 hard fought victory over Benin to secure a ticket to Cote d’Ivoire after finishing second in Group L with 10 points, four points behind table leaders Senegal. They return to the tournament they last participated in 2010.

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PHOTOS: Niyonzima header earns Rwanda a point against Senegal in Huye