This is a big one from every sort of angle you look at it. Rwanda vs Burundi, or vice versa as far as today’s state of affairs is concerned. And it will be pretty interesting to see what team Tetteh puts out. Very little has been coming from the Burundi camp in the build-up to today’s game, a game so important to both teams that the winner surely, as they say, will take all. The valuable three points the priceless bragging rights. According to available information, Rwanda has never lost to Burundi in a competitive match in recent history, and since history likes to repeat itself, and because in football such little nitty grittys tend to matter, the ball is pretty very much in Amavubi’s court. That’s why it will be interesting to see what sort of team Sellas Tetteh starts with, knowing very well that his opponents will come out playing attacking football. As we saw in the corresponding fixture in Kigali three months ago, Burundi play in only one way, and that’s attacking. They have been known for building their teams on an attack-minded foundation over the years, so Tetteh will be wary of that threat. This one being a local derby, given the proximity of the two countries and the life long history that exists between the two peoples, both coaches will send out their respective teams to win the game. Expect both sets of players to give nothing less than 100 percent. The atmosphere on the terraces will surely play a major part in what happens after the 90 minutes. Information available from Bujumbura indicates that hundreds of Amavubi fans have made the trip to the Burundian capital to support the team. Going into today’s game, Tetteh has probably his strongest squad since taking over the reigns last year. For the first time, he appears to have a well balanced squad in terms of youth and experience capable, at least on paper, to beat do a double over their earnest rivals. Amavubi won the corresponding fixture 3-1 in March but the score line didn’t tell the true picture of the game. Today’s game has all the hallmarks of a real derby clash. While Amavubi will be looking to maintain its impressive record against Burundi, the latter will be hoping this is their time to settle a one or two scores. For the first time, Tetteh has seven attackers in his squad [Uzamukunda, Saidi Abedi, Karekezi, Bokota, Eric Serugaba, Peter Kagabo, and Jacques Tuyisenge] and it will be interesting to see how he sets out his team. Eric Gasana [Mbuyu Twite], Jean Claude Iranzi and AS Cannes striker Elias Uzamukunda scored in the corresponding fixture, but Iranzi, a starter when available, is suspended for today’s game. But Tetteh has Karekezi, Bokota and Mao Kalisa available for selection, they have never played for him and so it will be exciting to see whether he’s seen enough of them in training to trust them. He didn’t trust Saidi Abedi last time. Tetteh is likely to go with one striker, Bokota or Uzamukunda with Karekezi playing in the hole between the striker and midfield, Haruna, Mugiraneza, Mbuyu and Donatien Tuyizere are sure starters in the middle of the pack. The Swallows [nickname for Burundi team] will not be intimidated by whatever team Tetteh puts out, they will come out, buoyed on by their supporters, among whom may include the country’s Head of State, Pierre Nkurunziza, to get an early goal. The Burundians will not have any respect for Amavubi or their fans, on and off the field and with such a poor record against the visitors, you expect them [Swallows] to throw everything in their [Amavubi] faces, after all this match means more than just the 3 important points at stake. nku78@yahoo.com
