The Rwandan national team, Amavubi lost 1-0 to Guinea’s Sylli Nationale last night in CHAN 2020 Quarterfinal, in a two Red Card and VAR drama match.

Amavubi played more than 40 minutes against the 10 man Guinea after Mory Kante was sent off early in the game in the 11th minute following his challenge against Rwandan skipper Jacques Tuyisenge, who could not even continue the game.

7 minutes after the break, Rwanda’s Goal Keeper, Olivier Kwizera got sent off for fouling Guinea’s Yakouba Barry outside the box. Initially, he was given a yellow card but with Video Assistance Referee VAR, the Moroccan International referee, Samir Guazzaz, changed his mind and canceled the yellow and instead gave a straight Red Card to Mr. Kwizera. The decision coach Mashami did not agree with. The free-kick awarded against Amavubi in this situation led Rwanda to concede a goal. Morlaye Sylla scored for Sylli Nationale.

Following Olivier Kwizera’s dismissal, Coach Mashami said he was weakened by minor injuries and a red card on his Goalkeeper. “Of course we couldn’t achieve our goals, we cannot say we are happy, we are sad because we wanted to get to the next level and everything was possible,” he said.

“The red card they got also affected us because we lost a player, a key player for us, and shortly we lose Rachid Kalisa which made us make quick changes. When you make quick changes it changes all your plans. We didn’t use an advantage to play against an incomplete team. Of course, I can’t ignore the fact that it was a great team, however, we deserved more than what they got,” the coach added.

“At the foul, we got on the red card, if you look at the video, you can see that Olivier didn’t commit a foul to that player. But the player was very skilled, he played on the minds of the referees, he was smarter, they got a free-kick, and score it. You have to accept it, we have to accept it, we are not going to sue, and we are not going to sue VAR,” the coach continued.

Rwanda has participated 4 times in this competition designed exclusively for home-based players. Only in 2016 in Rwanda and 2021 in Cameroon, Rwanda has managed to reach the Quarterfinal stage twice in 2016 and 2021.

Rwanda National Team head Coach Vincent Mashami says the win over the Hawks of TOGO to reach the quarterfinals will not make him a special coach, rather he thanks God for remembering his team.

Tuesday night, January 26, 2021, Amavubi led by head coach Mashami, in a historic win, advanced to the knockout stage of the CHAN Championship for the first time that this continental tournament has been played outside the Country. In this match, Rwanda had to come back from behind twice to earn a well-fought victory.

In the 45th minute of the game, Olivier Niyonzima canceled out Togo’s lead through a powerful header from Bayisenge’s well-taken free-kick. 14 minutes after the break, Togo took the led again but a minute later, the skipper, Jacques Tuyisenge scored a header to level the score.

Striker Ernest Sugira, who replaced Savio Nshuti in the second half, netted the winning goal for Amavubi in the 66th minute to secure the needed victory and send Amavubi to the quarter-finals. Rwanda finished second behind the defending champions Morocco in Group C. Togo and Uganda had to pack their bags and head back home.

In the post-match interview, the happy man, Vincent Mashami praised the efforts and fighting spirit of the whole team, support from the high administration the government, but first and foremost, the almighty for remembering him. Check the match Preview

“We are very happy, I thank the players so much for their efforts because it was not an easy game to prepare for. You know when you play against a team that has different ambitions from yours, it is not easy. Togo wanted a draw but on our side, it was a must-win game. Therefore, that is not easy when you meet an opponent like Togo, plus they are the best team tactically, it was not easy at all,” said Mashami.

“We have reason to be happy in this game. We always responded quickly, we wanted to score first but it did not work out for us as we were forced to make an early substitution for injured Thierry Manzi, Everything we planned immediately seemed to change. However, at the end of the day, we are happy because we have the win we fought for. I thank the boys, they stayed in control of the game, coming from behind twice against the well-organized team like this … I really thank them,” he added.

He continued, “I want to thank the whole Rwanda delegation here in Cameroon, but we also thank the government for their continued support.”

Even if the coach did not go into the tactics that led him to win the game in the post-match interview, it is very clear that this tactician had a good note on this match based on the impact of the substitutions made. However, he denied being sung as a hero of the game but rather praises God.

“The luck factor in football exists. I would not say I’m a special coach, because the situation we’ve been through isn’t the best. I would not say I’m an amazing coach, sometimes God remembers you. God remembered that we also need to be happy. With God’s help, the players had the strength to follow the instructions,” said coach Mashami.

Rwanda will have to wait for today’s games of Group D to find out their opponent in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Mashami accepts that his side, Amavubi needs to win today’s encounter with Togo for the slot in the quarter-finals of the CHAN championship.

Rwanda’s confirmed defensive-minded approach to the game will not help them much today as they are required to defeat Togo should a slot in the quarter-final be on their CHAN championship agenda. National team head coach, Vincent Mashami said in the Pre-game press conference that the third match of the group stage against Togo will be a do or die match.

“It’s a very decisive game ahead of us, our all-round performance has been good but we lack goals which are our main objective going into this game. We are aware of their qualities with or without the ball, we need to be in our best form so that we can nullify this team. We have given all the ingredients to the players to see if they can be more decisive in the final third and we believe we will score goals,” said Mashami.

The Rwandan National team, Amavubi last scored in the FIFA international matches on 19th October 2019 against Ethiopia 1-1 in Kigali which means that  Amavubi has not scored a goal in the previous seven recognized FIFA matches. It is a serious challenge for Mashami and his team who played a goalless draw in their last five games including the two they have already played in CHAN 2020, which is taking place in Cameroon.

According to reports from the camp, the coach will be playing today’s game without Bertrand Iradukunda, who picked up a knee injury in training. It is expected that Lague Byiringiro will replace him. No more changes are expected since the striker Ernest Sugira’s previous appearance against Morocco showed that he lacks fitness.

In Group C of Rwanda, all the teams still have the chance to qualify because in two rounds played, Morocco has 4 points, Togo has 3 points, Rwanda has 2 points, and Uganda has 1 point before the final round.

In the last edition in Morocco, Rwanda conceded a late goal against Libya at this stage, where a draw was enough to advance to the knockout stage. The fans and media ideally thought that Amavubi played an extremely defensive game.

In another game of Group C, Uganda will fight with Morocco at Stade de la Reunification in Douala. A draw will be enough for Morocco but Uganda needs to overcome their opponent to proceed to the quarter-finals. Uganda drew the first game against Rwanda before losing to Togo 2-1.

AMAVUBI Probable lineup against Togo: O. Kwizera (GK), F. Omborenga (RB), A. Mutsinzi (CB), T. Manzi (CB), E. Imanishimwe (LB), O. Niyonzima (DM), R. Kalisa (DM), L. Byiringiro (RM), M. Hakizimana (CAM), S. Nshuti (LM) and J. Tuyisenge (CF) in 4-2-3-1 formation.