RWANDA’s Junior Wasps head coach Vincent Mashami has revealed his side will not bow to Zambia at least until the final whistle of the return leg tie come May 19 in Lusaka. Youngster Martin Njobvu scored twice as the reigning African champions put two past the Junior Wasps in the first leg to edge closer to the third and final round of qualifies for the 2019 Africa U-20 Nations Championships, scheduled for February 24 through March 10 in Niger. The 18-year-old forward opened the scoring 34 minutes into the game at Kigali Stadium, before doubling their lead in the 78th minute. “It may be hard to go through but we have to give it our best. However much unlikely it seems, it is still possible and I find that slight chance worth fighting for. We will not surrender,” Mashami told Times Sport in a past-match interview. “We need to prepare well, score early in the game and force a scoreline of 2-0 or more in the second leg. We are regrouping to learn from mistakes we made and learn our opponents better,” he added. For Rwanda to progress, they will have to defeat Zambia in the second leg by a score margin greater than two goals and more if they concede in Lusaka. However, the Junior Chipolopolo won’t be easy to beat at home and head coach Wedson Nyirenda knows that. “Rwanda was not really a weak opponent. It’s just that they failed to contain the pressure and started playing long balls, which we are good at. Now the focus is shifted to the return leg with an aim for a double,” Nirenda told Times Sport in a separate interview. After a comfortable 2-0 away win on Saturday, a draw will be sufficient for the Junior Chipolopolo to book a ticket to the ultimate round of qualifiers. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
