Amavubi face tough Mali test

The Eagles of Mali, who finished third at this year’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa, will give hosts Rwanda a true test when they battle in a Group H of the 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Amaharo Stadium on Sunday.

 

Smarting from a 1-0 loss to Libya on Wednesday in an International friendly in their own backyard, Rwanda’s Amavubi are expected to be under lots of pressure in a game they must register positive results if they hope to brighten their chances of qualification for the next round.

 

“We know it’s a very important match, but we call upon all Rwanda fans to come and be the 12th man and give us all the support because the team is rearing to go,” Head Coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Seredejovic said.

 

The Serbian born Coach said although they had lost to Libya on Wednesday, his boys know what to expect and know how much this game means.

 

The team’s most experienced player and skipper Olivier Karekezi and Haruna Niyonzima, who features for Young Africans in the Tanzanian League, will have a big burden to get the goals, while the defence must also be at its best to keep out the likes of Abdulwahid Sissooko and Mana dembele, who has scored 11 goals for Clermont Foot in France.

 

Mali coach Patrice Carteron whose team has been camped in France will hope that they can get the three points.

 

He will, however, miss the quartet of Mahamane Traore, Kalilou Traore, Sambou Yatabare, Cheick Diabate, who are all suspended.

 

The Eagles of Mali are placed third and tied on three points with Algeria, one point behind Benin and two points above Rwanda, who are bottom.