CHAN 2020: How Amavubi can qualify for semi-finals

Sunday, January 31 (9pm)Guinea v Rwanda, Stade de Limbe

Intensive preparations are ongoing as Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, prepare for a tough test against Guinea ahead of the quarter-final game of the ongoing 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) slated for Sunday, January 31 at Stade de Limbe.

Rwanda sealed a spot into the knock-out stages after a stunning 3-2 win over Togo on Tuesday, January 26, which earned head coach Vincent Mashami’s team a second place finish behind Group C leaders and reigning champions Morocco.

Guinea’s draw against Tanzania on Wednesday, meanwhile, was enough for Guinea to top the Group D table, ahead of runners-up Zambia, and book a ticket for the quarter-finals

Amavubi go into the game with an unimpressive record against Guinea, with the former having gone winless in their last three meetings in all competitions; with two encounters having ended in draws while the West African side won once – during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2018.

Going forward, a tough challenge awaits Rwanda’s defense to stay calm and hold their nerves while coping with Guinea’s attacking threat posed by a forward line led by Yakhouba Gnagna Barry, who is the current tournament top scorer with three (3) goals in as many games.

The 22-year-old, who plies his trade at Horoya AC in Guinea, scored a brace to help his side beat Namibia 3-0 while he also converted a penalty to give an early lead against Tanzania in a match that ended with both teams drawing 2-2.

The likes of Omborenga Fitina and Emmanuel Manishimwe will have a busy evening to handle Guinea’s wingers Victor Kantabadouna, who scored the goal that earned his side a draw against Tanzania, and Issiaga Camara to avoid numerous crosses in front of Olivier Kwizera’s goal.

Mashami will need to work on improving communication in defense to adjust costly defensive errors from both Emmanuel Manishimwe and Emery Bayisenge, which were manifested during the match against Togo.

Having assisted for the opening goal against Togo, Bayisenge still has a task to justify that he deserves to start in defense and lead the backline in the absence of Thierry Manzi who is sidelined through injury.

Although Rwanda went past the group stages without defeat, the partnership of Rashid Kalisa and Olivier Niyonzima needs to be strengthened, with the former struggling for fitness.

The duo have shown that they can help Mashami kill the game from the midfield in case he imposes a defensive game but the tactician must keep in mind he can’t continue to rely on set pieces and crosses from defenders, yet he has an option to explore the creative ability of Martin Fabrice Twizerimana who can create chances for the likes of skipper Jacques Tuyisenge and youngster Lague Byiringiro upfront once he is given a chance to start on Sunday.

The youngster, who joined Police FC last summer, proved his worth after his assist found Sugira to score the match-winning goal against Togo.

Guinea could, however, easily win the game if Mashami maintains his defensive tactics. He can instead play an open game and take advantage of the Guineas’ shaky defense which has so far conceded three goals, including two against Tanzania.

If the 38-year-old tactician builds his game from the defense, make the midfield ticking and keep Byiringiro and Tuyisenge firing upfront, he will no doubt go into history books yet again as the first Rwandan coach to qualify a national team to semi-finals of a continental competition.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com