Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, needs to defeat the Mambas of Mozambique on Sunday, June 18, at Huye Sports Stadium in an AFCON Group L qualifier. Rwanda is last in its group with just two points after four games since CAF made the country forfeit the one point it earlier got from the 1-1 draw with Benin in Kigali. Rwanda was punished for fielding an unqualified player. It will be make or break on Sunday as Mozambique who have four points from four games also need the full three points to brighten their chances of making it to the AFCON in Cote D'Ivoire in January 2024. Times Sport takes a look at five players who can decide the outcome of the game. Emmanuel Imanishimwe (Rwanda) The left-back is Rwanda's biggest player abroad. He is part of the reasons why FAR Rabat are on the verge of lifting their first league title since 2008. With FAR Rabat finally deciding to release him for the game, Imanisimwe will be vital for Amavubi with his marauding runs down the left flank as well as his great defensive qualities. He has played 37 games in all competitions for FAR this season, providing three assists. Stanley Ratifo (Mozambique) Despite playing for CFR Pforzheim in the Oberliga, Ratifo is a quality player. Amavubi knows what he can do as he was the player who scored the equalizer in the first leg in South Africa after Blaise Nishimwe had given Rwanda the lead. Ratifo will lead the attack of the Mambas again and Ange Mutsinzi and Thierry Manzi must be at their best to stop him. He scored five goals and provided 9 assists in 27 games in the German fifth tier this season. Hakim Sahabo (Rwanda) The 17-year-old attacking midfielder was seriously missed in the Amavubi squad's last game against Benin in Kigali as he was serving a red card suspension. The Standard Liege bound player setup Gilbert Mugisha's goal in Cotonou with a sumptuous pass. He could be the deciding factor in the game on Sunday as just one moment of brilliance from him can cause havoc. Edmilson Dove (Mozambique) The Kaizer Chief centre back is a pillar in defence on any day with his timely tackles and ability to start attack. Though not tall for a central defender as he stands at just 1.78 meters, Dove has good tactical play and speed. He builds attack from the back and can be very dangerous when he is on the offensive. Patrick Mutsinzi (Rwanda) He has been on fire for the U20 side of UAE Pro League club Al Wahda netting seven goals though he was signed in January 2023. An attacker who was discovered by Times Sport during our usual scouting of Rwandan players abroad, Mutsinzi has what it takes to make the number 9 position his bonafide property for many years. He has pace, eye for goal and above all, great footwork.
