Friday, September 25 go be busy day for Group K as Rwanda host Liberia for Amahoro Stadium, Kigali. The match na 18:00 CAT. Later for 21:00 CAT, Mali go face Cape Verde for Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako. For Rwanda, this game no be just another qualifier. Na start of ambitious quest to end 22-year wait to return to Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The 2027 edition, wey dem call PAMOJA, go be co-host by East African neighbours Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Rwanda wan qualify as participant, not as host, by grabbing one of two tickets from Group K. Players and head coach Stephen Constantine believe say Amavubi get wetin e take to make the long-awaited return to continental showpiece.
Midfielder Bonheur Mugisha talk say current squad get enough quality and experience to finally secure qualification. ‘We now get many players wey dey compete abroad regularly, and I think this na the right moment for us to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,’ the Al-Hazem star yarn. ‘The tournament go also hold close to home, which mean many Rwandans go get chance to come support us.’
Mugisha note say Rwanda come close to qualification for previous campaign, but miss out on goal difference. He stress say maximum points at home dey important. ‘We dey get closer to achieving that goal because last time we miss out due to goal difference. We need make our home matches count because away games always more difficult. Even getting one point on road fit make big difference,’ he add.
Constantine don recall goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari after the shot-stopper endure difficult spell on sidelines because of injuries. Ntwari now expected to challenge for starting place between posts, with Olivier Kwizera position for squad under greater scrutiny after he begin new season without club. Kruger United goalkeeper describe Liberia clash as opportunity to re-establish himself but acknowledge say decision on who starts still dey Constantine hand. Whether he starts or come off bench, Ntwari talk say every player for camp understand task at hand. ‘The goal na to win first qualification match. Na only thing we dey think about right now,’ he tell journalists for pre-match press conference.
Constantine, wey dey his second spell as Amavubi coach after e return in March, dey lead Rwanda latest attempt to qualify for AFCON. Rwanda dem deny place for 2015 AFCON after fielding ineligible player, while their most recent qualification campaign end narrowly after dem miss out on goal difference. Despite strong competition from Cape Verde and Mali for Group K, Constantine believe say Rwanda get chance. ‘If I no think say we get possibility to qualify, I no go dey here,’ he talk.
Liberia dey coached by Mohammed Adil Erradi, wey previously work with APR FC and sabi several members of Amavubi squad. Rwanda go travel to Praia to face Cape Verde on September 29 for their second Group K qualifier.
