If you thought Saturday’s majestic 3-1 win over Morocco was a surprise, you’re alone in that boat because Blanko Tucak and Brig. Gen. John Bosco Kazura were not (surprised). The weekend produced an unprecedented series of shock results across the continent, which kept the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifying alive. Morocco, Egypt, Angola, Ghana and South Africa were all beaten while Cameroon and Ivory Coast were held to draws. Here at home, Nyamirambo stadium is fast becoming a fortress for the national team against visiting teams, the win against Morocco proves that assumption. But as many would be surprised that Malawi beat the reigning African champions, Egypt 1-0 in Blantyre, Gabon stunned the continents top side, Ghana in Libreville with a 2-0 win, Uganda 3-1 winners over the 2010 CAN hosts, Angola in Kampala, Tucak and Kazura were not surprised that Rwanda beat Morocco 3-1 in Kigali. “Why would be surprised when my team has just won 3-1 against Morocco, a top team on the continent,” was Tucak’s response when asked whether he was surprise not by the result but the score line. He noted, “I came into this game confident that my team would win and we did, I am happy but there still a lot of work to do.” Asked about his plans for the next game away to Morocco, he said, “This is not the right time to talk about plans for the next game. Let us first enjoy this moment.” The Croat takes his troops to Rabat this coming weekend with his team sitting comfortably atop of group eight with maximum points from three qualifiers. Ferwafa chief Brig. Gen. Kazura, who along with Sports Minister Joseph Habineza was on the receiving end of President Paul Kagame’s strong critism earlier in the year about the way the national team, was being run. But after three straight wins, a record for Rwanda, Kazura was, unlike in the past, was in the mood to talk to journalists freely after Saturday’s historic win over Morocco. He said, “I am not surprised though I’m happy that we have beaten Morocco, a giant of African football.” “But in particular, I want to thank the players, the coaches and the fans for today’s win, each one of them played his part in making sure that we beat Morocco. “The fans have been magnificent today and I hope they continue being behind the team, support the coach. If we continue working together like this, the sky will be the limit,” Kazura told Times Sport. Amavubi Stars approached the game the only way they had to they took the game to the Moroccans right from the start, something that had been lacking in Tucak’s first four games in charge; Sudan twice, Mauritania and Ethiopia. Goals from Saidi Abedi (16), Labama Bokota (69) and Olivier Karekezi (93) gave Rwanda a deserved victory while Yussuf Safri scored Morocco’s consolation. The 2010 World Cup hosts, South Africa were shocked 1-0 by Sierra Leone in Freetown, Cameroon were held to a goalless draw in Tanzania while Ivory Coast had to come back from a goal down to secure a draw against Botswana. Ends
