07 October 2021 | Football

Rwanda and Uganda face off in the third match of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers with either seeking their first win of the campaign.

The Amavubi Stars have lost and drawn against Mali (0-1) and Kenya (1-1) while the Cranes have played to two goalless draws against the same opponents.

A win for Cranes takes Uganda temporarily on top of Group E while a win for the hosts draws them level on points with leaders Mali who face Kenya.

Uganda Cranes stand-in captain Khalid Aucho is optimistic about a win at Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo.

“We have played many derbies and won. The players are ready for Rwanda. The young players in the team are like babies taking their first steps to walk. They want to prove a point and are willing to deliver for the Uganda Cranes and make the fans happy.

“We are only thinking about winning the match against Rwanda,” the midfielder said ahead of the game.

Haruna Niyonzima, the captain of Rwanda, revealed how important the game against Uganda is and says their focus is on getting all 3 points.

“We have a very strong game or is it a‘ derby’ as we like to say. It is a game that is of great value to us and we hope that we will do our best and come back victorious.”

“If we win this game we know we will go ahead of Uganda, so that’s what we’ve put so much emphasis on,” Niyonzima said.

Cranes head coach Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic expects nothing short of victory against the Amavubi stars.

“After the match with Mali, our foreign-based players put themselves in the competitive mode while the local players got a chance to win places in the squad after playing four practice matches. They have shown desire to be in the squad. I believe they will deliver.

"With due respect to Rwanda, our target is to get maximum points from these games. Nothing less than that," said the Serbian coach.

Micho's opposite Vincent Mashami says his charges will do their best to get maximum points from their regional rivals.

“We are ready to face Uganda. That in itself makes Thursday’s game more extraordinary.

“We will do our best to take the three points. We are looking forward to beating Uganda and we are better prepared than ever. We assure all our fans that they will watch a good Rwandan side that is aiming to win,” Mashami said as quoted by Ferwafa.

• Thursday, 7th October 2021
• Rwanda vs. Uganda - Kigali Regional Stadium - Nyamirambo, 7:00pm (EAT)

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