After a disappointing debut in the 2013 Francophone Games, Rwanda U-20 football team find themselves in a tricky situation where they must win against home side France in the final Group D game this evening at Complexe de la Paine in Nice.
Richard Tardy (in cap) talking to his players after a training session in Nice, France recently
France is favourites to qualify to the knock out stage following their 4-1 win over Canada on Friday.
Rwanda’s game against Congo Brazzaville will be played tomorrow. The match was supposed to be played last Friday but didn’t go ahead as planned after Congo initially indicated they were withdrawing from the football completion, only to change their decision a day later.
Canada beat Rwanda 1-0 on Sunday courtesy of Anthony Osorio’s first half strike, a result that puts Coach Richard Tardy’s team in a tricky position as far as progressing to the next stage is concerned.
The Junior Wasps need to beat both France and Congo Brazzaville to be assured of reaching the next round or at least get four points and hope that Canada lose to Congo.
Tardy blamed the loss to Canada on poor defending but lauded his team’s general performance against the North American opponents.
“The boys did really well against a very good Canada team, despite the loss. It was a good game and hopefully they can put on a better show against France on Tuesday,” said Tardy.
Ndayisenga best Rwandan rider
Valens Ndayisenga emerged the best-placed Rwandan as he rode 180km to finish 23rd in the cycling competition on Sunday.
Ndayisenga clocked 3’16”02”’ to come 16 minutes and 50 seconds behind Frenchman Pierre Roger Latour, who won the race while his colleagues Mathieu Lelavandier and Anthony Maldonado finished second and third respectively.
Other Rwandans riders; Emile Bintunimana, Emmanuel Rudahunga, Patrick Byukusenge and Jean Bosco Nsengimana finished 28th, 30th, 31st and 38th respectively.
Today
Group C
Morocco vs Gabon 3pm
Group D
France vs Rwanda 6pm
By Bonnie Mugabe,The New Times
