Amavubi forward Kagere Meddie attempts to challenge Ivory Coast and Manchester United defender Eric Bailly during the 2019 AFCON Qualifier staged on Sunday at Stade de Kigali.
Amavubi forward Meddie Kagere scored on his return to Rwanda National Team fold but his effort could not help Amavubi beat the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
The Elephants secured their first and vital away 2-1 win on the second day of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group H match at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo in Kigali on Sunday afternoon.
Cote d’Ivoire broke the deadlock in the 45th minute courtesy of Aston Villa forward Jonathan Adjo Kodjia’s strike following poor goalkeeping from Amavubi goalie Olivier Kwizera.
After recess, Ivory Coast continued their dominance and managed to double their lead through Max Gradel. The Toulouse attacking midfielder beat right back Fitina Ombolenga to strike past goalie Kwizera with a good finish, making it 2-0 in the 48thminute.
The Wasps were desperate for a win having lost 2-1 to the Central African Republic away in their first game in the qualifying campaign in June 2017.
Rwanda’s midfielder Djihad Bizimana hit the cross bar three times with Rwatubyaye Abdul’s header going inches off Cote d’Ivoire’s cross bar.
However, the Wasps pushed for their first goal and they managed to pull one back through Meddie Kagere.
The Ugandan-born striker beat Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo four minutes after the hour-mark to make it 2-1 for Rwanda.
The Wasps then pushed for a late equalizing goal with Kagere working tirelessly upfront for the home side.
However, Ivory Coast held on to their slender lead and ultimately, they ran out 2-1 winners over Rwanda.
Rwanda remains rooted bottom of the standings with no points in two matches’ played while Cote d’Ivoire remained third on the Group H standings with three points.
On the first day of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ Qualifying matches, Rwanda lost to Central Africa Republic 3-2 away in Banjul while Cote d’Ivoire also lost 3-2 to Guinea at home in their maiden game in Group H over a year ago.
Rwanda will again be in action on October 10, 2018 when they play away to Guinea before hosting the West African side in Kigali three days later.
