Rwanda have defeated Tanzania in Kigali (#kwibuka21 Commemoration Cup) with goals from Patrick Sibomana and Yannick Mukunzi (7 June 2015).

The Amavubi have recorded their second impressive performance over the weekend with a 2-0 win against Tanzania at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

 

First Half

The first half saw the Amavubi come very close to scoring on more that one occasion with shots from Bertrand IRADUKUNDA and another from Patrick SIBOMANA cleared off the line by Tanzania. A couple of strong set pieces from Rwanda also put Tanzania in danger.

In contrast, Tanzania troubled Rwanda very little with only two relatively loose shots from distance, providing no test at all for Amavubi goalkeeper Eric NDAYISHIMIYE.

Just before half time, Rwanda were awarded a penalty following a Tanzanian hand ball in the penalty box. Patrick SIBOMANA stepped up and converted the penalty to put Rwanda 1-0.

At half time, a 1-0 scoreline could easily have been 2 or 3 to Rwanda had Tanzania not managed to clear early shots from their goal line.

 

Second Half

The first 15-20 minutes of the second half began with a more reserved Amavubi, applying less pressure than had been the case in the first half and allowing Tanzania more space in which to operate.

While Rwanda created chances, the were inter-weaved with some opportunities for Tanzania. Although most Tanzania efforts did little to trouble the Amavubi defence, with 4 or 5 high and wide efforts, one came close when it made it to the Rwandan woodwork.

The last 15 minutes saw Rwanda refocus to create a number of good opportunities. Isaie SONGA broke through the Tanzanian defence but unfortunately fumbled the ball and wasted an opportunity to strike. Excitement grew for the Amavubi fans as they witnessed some strong interplay from Eric RUTANGA and Dominique Savio NSHUTI who linked up well and provided a great opportunity for Rwanda to score a second through a lovely moment of intricate play.  Their efforts resulted in a cross into the box which was chested down by Isaie SONGA allowing substitute Jacques TUYISENGE to hit a volley. The ball however unfortunately struck into the ground, going just wide of the Tanzania goal.

Not long after, Djihad BIZIMANA picked the ball up just inside the Tanzanian half and went on a blistering run that bettered a number of opposition players and allowed him to fire a strike that went narrowly wide of the top right hand corner. 

With continued pressure being applied, the Amavubi's second goal came in last 10 minutes of the game - a set piece allowing Yannick MUKUNZI to score a very nice header at the near post.

The game finished 2-0 to the Amavubi.

 

Looking Ahead

The Games this weekend represent Coach McKinstry's first real opportunity since his arrival to work with the full international Amavubi squad.  The #Kwibuka21 Commemoration Cup providing a valuable opportunity to assess players and to prepare for the AFCON2017 qualifiers next weekend.

The Amavubi have a number of full international, home based, and u-23 games in the coming year - including hosting CHAN in Jan 2016.  These games will not only allow an opportunity to improve Rwandan football and coaching, but also to improve on the FIFA World Ranking of 94 announced earlier this week, which effectively represents a starting point for Coach McKinstry's time with the Amavubi.

 

Views from Coach McKinstry

"It was good to get a second clean sheet in two days. In over 180 mins of football there were maybe only 6 or 7 shots against us, and only two that had any real potential to trouble us. I think that shows that our team shape is there. There is still work to be done, but overall the team shape is quite good."

"We are creating strong chances. Today we had at least 7 or 8 chances that could easily have been goals. We will work on converting more of those, but you start by creating the chances, and we are creating them. Other teams don't get to create the chances, so we are moving in the right direction."

"Over the weekend as a whole, we produced a 0-0 and a 2-0 against 2 very competent teams. It provided a good workout for the boys, especially as neither of our teams was a first 11 - they were balanced across both games. So competition for places in the squad is strong, and it will be difficult to make the decision regarding the 18 that we will travel to Mozambique with later this week."

 

 

Rwanda 'Amavubi' Squad 

Starting Eleven

Eric NDAYISHIMIYE Rayon Sport
Ismael NSHUTIYAMAGARA APR
Faustin USENGIMANA Rayon Sports * 
Michel RUSEHESANGOGA APR * 
Dominique Savio NSHUTI Isonga * 
Yannick MUKUNZI APR * 
Djihad BIZIMANA Rayon Sports * 
Jean-Marie SAFARI Gicumbi
Patrick SIBOMANA APR * 
Bertrand IRADUKUNDA APR * 
Michel NDAHINDUKA APR

Substitutes

Marcel NZARORA Police
Eric RUTANGA APR
Emery BAYISENGE APR * 
Jean-Baptiste MUGIRANEZA APR
Jacques TUYISENGE Police
Isaie SONGA AS Kigali * 
Dominique Antoine NDAYISHIMIYE Gicumbi *

Players marked with * are eligible for U-23.

Kwibuka21 Commemoration Cup.

The Commemoration cup, involving Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan is being held in Kigali, Rwanda on the weekend on 6 & 7 June 2015.  

The tournament is being used by many as a primer for forthcoming AFCON 2017 qualifiers next weekend.

Kwibuka means 'remember' in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's language. It describes the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.  Kwibuka21 is a series of events taking place in Rwanda and around the world.   For more information visit http://www.kwibuka.rw/

 

More News

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