2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers Group Eight June 21Morocco v RwandaEthiopia v Mauritania After defeating Morocco 3-1 over the weekend, Amavubi players are focused on qualifying for the 2010 African Cup Nations finals in Angola. Amavubi Stars captain Olivier Karekezi said that nothing would deter them from their mission to qualify for the 2010 Nations finals. “We started this journey well and we shall have to accomplish the journey by reaching Angola finals. “Everyone thought we could not reach this stage of topping this group (eight) but I can assure all Rwandans that we shall do our best to qualify from the group,” Karekezi said. Hamad Ndikumana, the man Karekezi succeeded as captain, admitted that despite collecting maximum points thus far, there are still a few things that need to be put right in and around the team if they are going to be able to do even better in the remaining three fixtures. “We confidently controlled the game (against Morocco); we created several goal scoring chances and played well as a team. If we continue like that, we have high chances of qualifying for the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola,” Ndikumana noted. His comments were echoed by team mates Haruna Niyonzima, Ismail Nshutinamagara and Mbuyu Twite (Eric Gasana) who will miss the next game because he was sent off in the 3-1 win over Morocco. The victory at Nyamirambo stadium on Saturday did not only represent the Amavubi’ most satisfying win in recent times over a north African opposition but increased Rwanda’s chances of reaching the next qualifying round. The Atlas Lions, in some sort of shambles after making the trip to Kigali without first team players Tarik Sektioui and Mbark Mboussief, who were nursing injuries attained in Mauritania game. They conceded three free kicks before succumbing to the opening goal, expertly executed by Said Abedi Makasi off Patrick Mafisango’s delivery. The game, as a contest, literally died at that very moment. Clearly Morocco had made the group eight fixture short on ambition and character other than to place a shield in front of their defensive final third, with just a few occasional attacks. Amavubi Stars would have doubled the lead on 19th minute as Olivier Karekezi failed to double the score in the penalty area. There were better individuals in the game, but there was no unit more authoritative than the Amavubi’ midfield and back four commanded by Ndikumana, Aloua Gaseruka, Elias Ntaganda and Ismail Nshutinamagara on the day. Later on 68 minutes Bokota Labama scored with such agility and Morocco’s custodian was left stranded even after Karekezi struck with a typical mixture of impudence and elegance for the third goal. A victory for Rwanda took them to the top of group eight standings with nine points from three fixtures played so far. Morocco settles for second position with six points while Ethiopia comes third with three points after winning away in Mauritania 1-0 on Friday. Mauritania remains at the foot of the group’s standings with no point. Rwanda continues her hunt for a 2010 World/Africa Cup spot with a return leg away to Morocco in Casablanca this Saturday. Ends
