CHAN 2016: Group A
Rwanda 2-1 Gabon
Ernest Sugira is loathed and adored by many Rwandese fans in equal measure.
The AS Kigali F.C lanky forward scored a double for the home side, Rwanda in the country’s 2-1 CHAN Group A victory over Gabon at the Amahoro stadium on Wednesday evening.
The hosts kick started the game with a quest for a victory over the West Africans to be guaranteed of progress to the knock out stages.
Cheered by a capacity crowd, Rwanda built on a great start when Yannick Mukunzi’s free-kick narrowly missed target.
A minute to the quarter hour mark, Gabon’s Allen Dorian Nono looked on in surprise as his last ball after rounding the goalkeeper Eric Ndayishmiye sailed across goal.
Left footed midfielder Jean Claude Iranzi shot wide five minutes later as Rwanda continued with the dominance in the opening 20 minutes.
Gabon coach, Stephane Bounguendza was forced to make an early change when he replaced Georges Ambourouet with Stevy Guevane Nzambe.
Midfielder Tchen Kabi picked a booking for a foul on Iranzi before Sugira grabbed his first two minutes to the half time break.
The AS Kigali forward maintained the momentum and scored the second much to the delight of the over 30,000 fans in the fully packed Amahoro stadium, who included the first lady, Jeanette Kagame.
Gabon pulled a goal back through Aaron Salem Boupendza to create a tense finish to the game. Moments later, Kabi picked his second booking and the referee in charge Janny Sikazwe from Zambia pulled out the red card – greeted by the wildest applause.
The numerical advantage temporarily played to the host country’s favour as Sugira combined well with his skipper Tuyisenge and second half substitute, Savio Nshuti to torment the West Africans. Nshuti had replaced Innocent Habyarimana at the start of the second half.
Four minutes to the game climax, Gabon’s second half change, Nzambe nearly restored parity but his left footer from a well curler 30 yards free-kick hit the post before the Rwandese defence acted swiftly to play it safe.
Rwand thus becomes the first country at the CHAN 2016 finals to book a quarter final berth.
Later on Wednesday, Cote D’Voire plays Morocco in the fourth group A match.
Team Line-ups
Rwanda xi: Eric Ndyashimiye (GK), Amran Nshimiyiman, Yannick Mukunzi, Emery Bayisenge, Jacques Tuyisenge (C), Jean Claude Iranzi, Fitina Omborenga, Celestin Ndayishimiye, Ernest Sugira, Innocent Habyarimanam Abdul Rwatubyaye
Gabon XI: Yves Moto (G.K), George Ambourouet, Tchen Kabi, Allen Nono, Marion Bernard Mandrault, Cedric Ondo, Franck Obambo, Cyrille Etienne, Prince Ndinga, Aaron Boupendza, Rodrigue Moundougua
