The national football team (Amavubi) played out to a 0-0 draw with Botswana in a friendly game that took place at the Barea Stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Friday, March 22. The game started brightly for Amavubi putting up an offensive display that kept their Batswana counterparts pinned in their own half. Rwanda's strong hold was on the left wing where Emmanuel Imanishimwe and Gilbert Mugisha made a couple of surging runs down the flank. The first chance of the game fell to Innocent Nshuti in the 20th minute following a cross by Gilbert Mugisha, though his effort went wide. Rwanda continued to maintain dominance as midfielders Steve Rubanguka, Djihad Bizimana and Kevin Muhire exerted their influence on the game. Coach Torsten Spittler brought on Arsene Tuyisenge and Bonheur Mugisha for Lague Byiringiro and Steve Rubanguka respectively in the 35th minute as he sought to vary his tactics. Botswana got a major opportunity in the 38th minute as striker Molaodi Tlhalefang stripped Mugisha of the ball and made a dangerous run into Rwanda’s penalty box. An excellent piece of defending by Emmanuel Imanishimwe who made a sliding tackle to steal the ball away from the opponent, thwarted the attack. Rwanda got two free kicks not far from Botswana's penalty box but Thierry Manzi and Innocent Nshuti could not convert the crosses made by Kevin Muhire's free kick. The first half ended goalless with Amavubi being by far the better side. The second half started with Coach Spittler bringing on Hakim Sahabo for Kevin Muhire. Rwanda continued to pile pressure on the Batswana but once again failed to score goals. Rwanda brought on Arthur Gitego for Innocent Nshuti in the 73rd minute. The Kenya-based striker could have scored with his first touch of the game, taking advantage of a misplaced pass from the Botswana defence, but his strike went wide. Botswana put up a better performance in the final ten minutes of the game and had a couple of good chances but Rwanda’s centre back pair of Ange Mutsinzi and Thierry Manzi were resolute as they defended gallantly to thwart the danger. Amavubi will face Madagascar on Monday, March 25 in their second friendly game.
