Skipper Clement Niyigena was the hero of the day on Tuesday as his brace coupled with a second half penalty from Prince Rudasingwa ensured that Rwanda defeat Libya by three goals to nothing in Huye. The Amavubi U-23 lost the first leg by four goals to one but have sailed through to the next stage of the Afcon U-23 Qualifiers on the away goals rule. Rwanda started the game brightly as they piled pressure on the Libyans with great display from Anicet Ishimwe who operated on the outside right. The Libyans could not play their normal game as the Rwandan players cut them off from the flanks and forced them to midfield where they became ineffective. Clement Niyigena who was deployed in central defence was a pillar at the back as he won all the fifty-fifty balls and also controlled the other players in the Rwandan back four. The pressure Rwanda piled on the Libyans in the game yielded dividends in the 38th minute when skipper Clement Niyigena netted the opener with a superb finish which sent the home side crowd into a frenzy mood. Rwanda had two more chances before recess but the Libyans who had recoiled into their shells defended gallantly as the first half came to an end. The second half saw Rwanda dominate proceedings again with the away side looking totally disorganized. Skipper Clement Niyigena who was having a brilliant afternoon popped up upfront in the 52nd minute with a stunning drive for Rwanda's second goal as the whole stadium went into an ecstatic mood once again. Libya at this juncture decided to come out of their shells with defeat staring at their faces. The North Africans in an attempt to get a goal left spaces at their back and Rwanda capitalised on it using the pace of Anicet Ishimwe. The third goal finally came in the 71st minute through substitute Prince Rudasingwa who beautifully converted a penalty after Anicet Ishimwe had been fouled inside the box in a swift attacking move. Both teams came all out in the final twenty minutes but could not register any more goals as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game. Rwanda will now face Mali in the second stage of the preliminary round for the 2023 U-23 Afcon.
