She-Amavubi face Nigeria in Rubavu

RWANDA national women football team face eight-time African champions Nigeria in the first-leg of the final round of 2014 Afcon qualifiers this afternoon at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu district. This year’s edition will be staged in Namibia from October 11 to 24. The tournament will also serve as the qualifier for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Championships to be hosted by Canada from June 6 through July 5. Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who are targeting to wrestle the title back from holders Equatorial Guinea for a record extending ninth time, arrived in Kigali on Wednesday. The West African giants won the first seven African championship titles from 1991-2006 and added the eighth in 2010. They finished third in 2008 and fourth in 2012 respectively. “Judging from my squad and our performance this year, I am hoping that we will perform well. I know that the girls will make us proud,” Nigeria’s caretaker, Edwin Okon told the Nigerian press before leaving for Rwanda. On the other hand, Rwanda’s She-Amavubi, who are seeking their maiden appearance in the competition, are in good mood and looking forward to today’s clash, according to head coach Grace Nyinawumuntu. “Regardless of their (Super Falcons) experience, we are very motivated, focused and determined to do the very best to win the home game. We learnt a lot from the warm-up match against Zambia last weekend,” Nyinawumuntu told Saturday Sport on Friday. “Whatever result we get today, this team will always try to give its best to win every math we play, and we shall go into Saturday’s game confident that we can beat Nigeria,” added the former Rwanda international central defender. The second leg is scheduled for June 8 in Lagos and the She-Amavubi will play another warm-up match against the Black Queens of Ghana en-route to Nigeria. Rwanda qualified for the final round after eliminating Kenya on away goals rule. She-Amavubi won the first leg 1-0 at Kigali Regional Stadium thanks to striker Alice Niyoyita’s goal and lost the second leg 2-1, while Nigeria got a bye. She-Amavubi squad Judith Ingabire Nyirabashyitsi (AS Kigali), Helene Uwizeyimana (AS Kigali), Edith Umulisa (AS Kigali), Clementine Mukamana (AS Kigali), Gloria Sifa Nibagwire (AS Kigali), Chadia Uwamahirwe (AS Kigali), Saida Ntagisanima (AS Kigali), Sophie Niyomugaaba (AS Kigali), Anne Marie Ibangarye (AS Kigali). Others are; Alice Kalimba (AS Kigali), Alice Niyoyita (Kamonyi), Djamila Abimana (Kamonyi), Louise Maniragua (Les Lionnes), Jeanette Mukashema (Inyemera), Marie Jeanne Nyirahafashimana (AS Kigali), Claudine Murorenkwere (Rambura), Florence Imanizabayo (Kamonyi) and Agathe Irikumutima (Les Lionnes). Super Falcons squad: Goalkeepers: Precious Dede (Ibom Angels, Nigeria), Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels, Nigeria) Defenders: Onome Ebi (Minsk, Belarus), Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars, Nigeria), Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels, Nigeria), Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels, Nigeria) Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels, Nigeria), Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels, Nigeria), Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens, Nigeria), Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels, Nigeria) Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels, Nigeria) Strikers: Desire Oparanozie (Ataşehir Belediyespor, Turkey), Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars, Nigeria), Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens, Nigeria), Chioma Wogu (Confluence Queens, Nigeria), Stella Mbachu (Rivers Angels, Nigeria), Esther Sunday (Pelican Stars, Nigeria).