AFCON 2017: Rwanda disappointed not to take points from Ghana in AFCON 2017 Qualifier

Details: Published: Saturday, 05 September 2015 19:30

Rwanda narrowly miss out after Ghana score an 87th minute free kick (AFCON 2017 qualifier, Kigali, Rwanda, 5 Sep 2015).

Amavubi Match Team [Rwanda Vs Ghana AFCON2017 Qualifier, 5 Sep 2015 in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo © Darren McKinstry 2015

Rwanda have narrowly missed out on taking points from their second AFCON2017 qualifier after Ghana scored an 87th minute free kick to win the encounter 1-0.

The game was played today (5 September 2015) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Following Rwanda's 1-0 victory over Mozambique in June, both Rwanda and Ghana had gone into the encounter at the top of Group H on three points. Ghana had started their qualification campaign with with a 7-1 victory over Mauritius in June.

Despite the difference in world rankings (Rwanda currently 78th vs. Ghana who are 27th worldwide) both team appeared evenly matched with possession shared across the two teams.

The game looked to be heading for a certain drawn when Ghana were awarded, and converted an 87th minute free kick from the edge of the box.

Coach McKinstry's Post Match Analysis:

Jacques TUYISENGE [Rwanda Vs Ghana AFCON2017 Qualifier, 5 Sep 2015 in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo © Darren McKinstry 2015 Speaking after the Match, Coach McKinstry said:

"We are extremely disappointed to come away with no points, from a game in which we felt we had played well and where deserving of at least the draw."

"We restricted Ghana to only 2 shots on target in the entire game, the first one being a very tame effort which didn't trouble the goalkeeper.

"I think that shows that our team shape and organisation is at a good level and if we can carry the performances from this game and the game against Mozambique in June into our next games against Mauritius and Mozambique at home, I believe we will be on course to get to our points target, which should qualify us for AFCON2017.

"Also, It should not be forgotten that the Amavubi are largely a domestic based team and that 6 of our starting eleven were 21 years or under. Today they have held their own against a very experienced team featuring players from across the top clubs in Europe, and who were runners up in the last AFCON tournament."

"I think our performances today and against Mozambique show that the Amavubi are very much on the right track...and that we can expect bigger things from Rwanda in the months and years to come..."

Full time: Head Coaches Avram Grant (Ghana) and Johnny McKinstry (Rwanda) congratulate each other on a good game [Rwanda Vs Ghana AFCON2017 Qualifier, 5 Sep 2015 in Kigali, Rwanda. Photo © Darren McKinstry 2015

Rwanda 'Amavubi' Squad

Starting Eleven

Olivier KWIZERA APR
Michel RUSEHESANGOGA APR
Emery BAYISENGE Lask Linz (Austria)
Salomon NIRISARIKE Sint-Truidense (Belgium)
Abouba SIBOMANA Gor Mahia (Kenya)
Jean-Baptiste MUGIRANEZA Azam (Tanz)
Haruna NIYONZIMA (Capt) Young Africans (Tanz)
Yannick MUKUNZI APR
Jacques TUYISENGE Police
Jean-Claude IRANZI APR
Quentin RUSHENGUZIMINEGA Lausanne Sport (Switz)

Substitutes

Eric NDAYISHIMIYE Rayon Sport
Faustin USENGIMANA Rayon Sports
Amran NSHIMIYIMANA Police FC
Djihad BIZIMANA Rayon Sports
Patrick SIBOMANA APR
Andrew BUTEERA APR
Ernest SUGIRA AS Kigali

Match Highlights

You can click any of the pictures below to see a full screen version of the picture. You can then also choose to click the play arrow to watch a slide show of all images.

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