It’s a do or die for Amavubi

Today Rwanda vs Congo 3:30pm (0-2) Kenya vs Lesotho (0-1) Mauritania vs Uganda (0-2) Mozambique vs Tanzania (2-2) AMAVUBI STARS will be hoping to find an early goal as they seek to knock out Congo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this afternoon at the Kigali Regional Stadium. The Congolese lead 2-0 from the first leg of the third round qualifier through Cesaire Gandze and Ferebory Dore goals. England-born coach Stephen Constantine debuted as Rwanda coach last month when Amavubi shocked Libya 3-0 in Kigali. A similar score line would see Rwanda join title-holders Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan in Group A for the September-November mini-league phase. The 51-year-old former coach of Malawi, Sudan, India and Nepal believes an early goal would greatly boost hopes of over-running Congo. “Our focus is squarely on the game against Congo. The atmosphere in the camp is excellent. I have been involved in football since I was 17 but I have not seen such a good atmosphere in any of the teams I have been with,” he told Saturday Sport. He noted that after the recent friendly game with a good Gabon side, his players deserve the credit. He described Amavubi as a good squad which he believes will go the entire journey to win. “We will give everything we have and hopefully we can win 3-0 and that’s the result we are looking for. We did it against Libya and I don’t think anybody gave us a chance, so we are ready to give everything we have in this game,” added Constantine. Amavubi will miss the foreign-based trio of Dady Birori, Elias Uzamukunda and defender Salomon Nirisarike. While Constantine sits in one dugout at Kigali Regional Stadium, veteran African campaigner Claude Le Roy will occupy the other. Frenchman Le Roy guided Cameroon to the Cup of Nations title 26 years ago and most recently was in charge of DR Congo at the 2013 tournament. The Red Devils’ last appearance was in 2000 and hopes of overall success over Rwanda have been boosted by the availability of Europe-based midfielders Delvin N’Dinga and Prince Oniangue. Happy with their first leg win, Congo boss Le Leroy said that they will still play forward in Kigali, to seal their qualification. “The most important thing in these double tie encounters is not to concede goals at home. Even a goalless draw is sometimes a good result,” Leroy said. The French tactician will have to do without several of his Europe-based professionals, including defenders Francis and Igor N’Ganga, midfielders Arnold Bouka Moutou and Prince Oniangué, and forwards Francis Litsingi and Ladislas Douniama.

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It’s a do or die for Amavubi