It’s do or bust for Amavubi

Today Rwanda vs Mali 3.30pmAMAVUBI STARS face Mali Eagles in a 2014 Group H World Cup qualifier that they must win this afternoon at Amahoro Stadium to boost Rwanda’s hopes of progressing to the third and final qualifying round. Smarting from a 1-0 loss to Libya on Wednesday in an International friendly in their own backyard in midweek, Amavubi are expected to be under a lot of pressure to ensure that they contain Africa’s third best team.Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic takes pride in his meticulous preparation and has spent too many hours this week googling the key players of Mali to make sure he’s well-equipped with enough knowledge on his opponent.The Serb coach said although they had lost the midweek build-up, his boys know what to expect and how much today’s game means.Eyes will be on strikers Elias Uzamukunda and the experienced skipper Olivier Karekezi, who will have the burden to get the goals.The defense, which will be led by Edwin Ouon, must also be at its best to keep out the likes of Abdulwahid Sissoko and Mana Dembele, who has scored 11 goals for Clermont Foot in France.In the 2011 African Nations Cup, Mali finished third. In this year’s edition in South Africa, they still finished third. This means that they have been the most consistent team on the continent for the past 12 months and Mali is ranked 24th in the World, 108 places higher than Amavubi. Yes, those rankings can be a bit misleading, but they don’t tell porkers.No matter how competent the visitors may be, Amavubi have to triumph to keep their Brazil 2014 dream alive. Currently sitting at the bottom of Group H with one draw and one loss, Amavubi still need to travel to Bamako and Cotonou, where the odds of away victories are remote.“We know it’s a very important match and we will pay the price needed to get the needed result,” Amavubi coach told Sunday Sport yesterday.“I believe in the talent of every player called up to the squad. The players are ready and we believe we can get a good result on Sunday. The supporters should come in big numbers and back their team,” added Micho.Mali coach Patrice Carteron, who never spoke to the local media despite spending close to a week camping in Kigali, will be hoping that they get the three points.He will, however, miss the quartet of Mahamane Traore, Kalilou Traore, Sambou Yatabare and Cheick Diabate, who are all suspended.Mali, who have never played at the World Cup, lost the opening match against Benin 1-0 away but bounced back to beat Algeria 2-1 at home. Rwanda lost the first game 0-4 to Algeria before holding Benin 1-1 in Kigali.The Wasps’ form appears to have deserted them, with last year’s 2-0 win over Eritrea in the Cecafa Kagame Challenge Cup only their third victory in 13 matches. That has left the Serb under scrutiny, and the pressure will all but intensify if Rwanda lose against Mali.After facing Mali, Rwanda will take on Benin away in Cotonou, Mali, away, before winding up with Algeria in Kigali. All matches will be played in June.Probable line-ups:Rwanda: Jean Claude Ndoli, Kalisa Mao, Edwin Ouon, Solomon Nirisarike, Jean Claude Iranzi, Mbuyu Twite, Andrew Buteera, Haruna Niyonzima, Meddie Kagere, Olivier Karekezi and Elias Uzamukunda.Mali: Soumaila Diakite, Adama Tamboura, Mahamadou N’Diaye, Fousseyni Diawara, Adama Coulibaly, Mohamed Sissoko, Seydou Keita, Bakaye Traoré, Cheick Diarra Fantamady, Abdulwahid Sissooko and Mana Dembele.Group H standings1. Benin - 4pts2. Algeria - 3pts3. Mali - 3pts4. Rwanda - 1pt