Amavubi face stern Ghana test

Rwanda will be looking to upset the odds when they take on Ghana in the Afcon 2017 on Saturday afternoon at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

The Amavubi, who are second in Group H tied on three points with Ghana, will go into this game looking for maximum points.

“We are well prepared both mentally and physically. We know that it will be a difficult game obviously because they got a win over Congo on Tuesday so they will be in a good positive frame of mind. We have to be ready from the very first minute and it will be a close game,” said Johnny McKinstry, head coach of Rwanda.

The home side will rely on the creativity of Haruna Niyonzima in midfield but more importantly the defensive quartet of Michel Rusheshangoga, Emery Bayisenge, Salomon Nirisarike and Abouba Sibomana will be tested by the forward line of Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew and Richmond Boakye.

“We have to be at our very best and if we are, we shall win. If we make even the smallest kind of mistake we could pay for it. We got to push forward and put them under some pressure. If we sit back, they will play in our half and put us under pressure so we cannot just sit there and wait. However, the game will go through different phases and will not have one approach,” McKinstry explained.

The Irish trainer is pleased to have his entire squad fit with no injury worries whatsoever.

“You always want to play your strongest team against a tough team. It also means that as the coaching staff we have a selection headache and some players are going to be disappointed. There is about 16 players who could really deserve a place in the starting XI but we like that. Whoever we put out on the pitch will be ready to deliver,” he added.

The last time the two sides met in an Afcon qualifier, Rwanda edged Ghana through a memorable Jimmy Gatete goal that ultimately earned Rwanda her first appearance at the continental tournament.