Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Ernest Sugira of Rwanda celebrates his goal
The Amahoro Stadium in Kigali Rwanda will be home to a beehive of activities on Saturday leading with the big clash pitting hosts Rwanda Amavubi who face off with DR Congo in the penultimate quarter final match that will see the winner run away to the semi final
Rwanda have had a perfect run winning two matches and finishing top of Group A despite Morocco pilling misery on the them in their last group game when they came crushing down 4-1.
Amavubi have produced a slice of brilliance and as they prepare for DR Congo there is plenty of enthusiasm under coach Johnny McKinstry who who is a step closer to the semi final after what he described as a dream start for his team.
Rwanda nipped the DRC 1-0 in their last friendly ( show above), as well as in their last competitive match 12 years ago.
“We are facing a very tricky and tough opponent in DR Congo who have been in top notch form in their first two games playing some very neat football.They are definitely one of the favourites but again I have reminded my players that we are in a crucial stage of the competition we will need to focus on our game and not overly give our opponents undue respect”
“We hope to see eye catching exploits in the game which to us is like a final since we are in the knock out phase and you don’t have room to falter.It will be an excellent game for the spectators as we give everything possible at Amahoro.I have urged my players to focus in the entire 90 minutes as we hope to gift our faithful Rwanda fans with a win” McKinstry told supersport.com
Jacques Tuyisenge,Jean Claude Iranzi,Ernest Sugira,Eric Ndayishimiye,Fitina Omborenga,Yannick Mukunzi are just some of the players expected to do duty for Rwanda as they seek to retain the pride and bragging rights against a highly tactical and technical DR Congo side.
On the other hand, the Leopards will also want to bag a win and progress to the next stage of the tournament as coach Florent Ibenge promised they will hit the ground running after finishing second in Group B behind Cameroon.
In the build up to their quarter final qualification DR Congo were in no mood for jokes as they dispatched off both Angola and Ethiopia in style
They registered two wins over Angola and Ethiopia before losing 3-1 to Cameroon in their final group stage encounter.
“We are more than ready to face hosts Rwanda in what promises to be a good and exciting game of football.We played badly against Cameroon in our last game but we have rectified the mistakes and will be hoping to give a good account of ourselves in the match that will decide our destiny in the tournament”
“We have no problem with opponents at the next round. We fear no team. At the last edition in South Africa, we were eliminated at the quarterfinals stage. We are not scared of Rwanda and we will give as much as we receive and they better be prepared for the offence from my players who want nothing short of a win”a buoyant Ibenge told supersport.com
“I have told my players to give their best in the entire 90 minutes in what will be a do or die clash for us.We have pride that we will not allow to be eroded by a loss that is why we have prepared well and we are ready for the battle on Saturday”he added
Ibenge is likely to start with the same players who did duty against Angola and Ethiopia the likes of Ley Matapi,captain fantastic Joel Kimwaki,Heritier Luvumbu,Jonathan Bolingi Mpangi,Mechak Elia,Joyce Lomalisa,Junior Baometu among others.
Rwanda vs DR Congo Head-To- Head
10/01/2016 Friendly Rwanda 1-0 Congo
29/08/2015 Friendly DR Congo 0-0 Rwanda
01/02/2004 Africa Cup of Nations 2004 Rwanda 1 – 0 Congo DR