The Amavubi team which played Algeria in a 4-1 loss pre-CHAN friendly match played on Wednesday in Tunis. KT Photo
Rwanda’s Amavubi team suffered a 1-4 loss to Algeria in the final build up to the 2018 Africa Nations Championship.
The match was played on Wednesday afternoon at El Menzeh stadium in Tunis, Tunisia.
From the squad that faced Sudan in the only 40 minutes of the game played before the it was aborted, Amran Nshimiyimana and Herve Rugwiro earned starting roles.
Algeria fielded most of their best players from their league as new coach Rabah Madjer continues to prepare his side since taking over the Fennec Foxes early this year.
Poor defending and communication saw Rwanda concede three goals in the first thirty minutes as defender Farouk Chaouchi bagged a double in the 10th and 29th minute while Abid Mohamed Lamine struck the third goal in the 22nd minute.
Bouguelmouna El Habib struck the fourth goal in the 87th minute while Mubumbyi Barnabe scored the consolation goal for Rwanda in the 79th minute.
Rwanda had minimal chances in the poor displayed first half with Biramahire Abeddy and Yannick Muknzi’s attempt on goal were denied by experienced goalie Chaouchi Faouzi.
In the second half, Rwanda uped their game with Coach Antoine Hey making four substitutions with Omborenga Fitina replacing Eric Iradukunda, Faustin Usengimana for Manzi Thierry, Niyonzima Ally for Amran Nshimiyimana and Savio Nshuti Dominique for Mico Justin.
The substitutions paid off as Rwanda dominated the game but could no put to good use of the many goal scoring chances with Savio Nshuti’s three clear chances were all saved by the Algerian goalie.
Mubumbyi who replaced Biramahire Abeddy missed two chnaces before pouncing on a cross from Fitina to struck a deep ball past the Algerian defensive duo into the goal nets in the 79th minute.
Assistant skipper Bizimana Djihad who had a good game, winning all midfield balls and creating several chances wasted three freekicks at the edge of the box as his efforts could not materialize in favour of Rwanda.
Three minutes to the end of the game, poor goalkeeping from Eric Ndayishimiye earned the fourth goal for Algeria as Bouguelmouna left Rwandan defenders, connecting a set-piece from Lakroum Ali to strike past the Amavubi skipper and goalie.
The loss concluded Rwanda’s training camp in Tunisia ahead of the Total Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which will be held in Morocco from January 13 to February 4.
Rwanda played against Sudan in a goalless draw (40 minutes) and Namibia in a 1-all draw.
The Amavubi leaves Tunis for Tanger, Morocco on Thursday ready for Group C matches where they will face Nigeria on January 15, Equatorial Guinea on January 23 and Libya on January 25.
In 2016, Rwanda reached the quarter-finals before they were eliminated by DR Congo 2-1 in extra-time. DRC went on to win the tournament.
