By Pierre Kwizera, Instsinzi Magazine
If we look back of 12 years ago when Rwanda beat Ghana at Amahoro Stadium and qualifiers for 2004 Africa Cup of National which means that the Amavubi side can build on that and make another history.
Sometimes in football history repeated itself when the teams are going to meet, this year February, history repeated itself as the Ivory Coast title came in 1992 when they edged the Ghanaians, also on penalties after a goalless draw.
If the Rwandan players gave their best in this match against Ghana, the history can repeated itself on this Saturday.
Rwanda’s history came on Jul 6, 2003 when they defeated Ghana by a score of 1-0 thanks to Rwanda icon Jimmy Gatete who helped Rwanda to qualify for first ever 2014 AFCON but after missed the AFCON of 2004.
Black Stars have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2006 and have qualified for all tournaments in the global competition and have blistering form reaching for every tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations and reaching the finals in 2010 and 2015, and that means that fail Ghana have build from that to become the world class status.
According to former Amavubi skipper and Coach Eric Nshimiyimana who was part of Rwanda’s victory over Ghana in 2003 seen Ghana as best team in Africa with world class players but still believes that Rwanda get better results.
“This is totally deferent match because for us we wanted to win match and qualified but now they need better results and continue to play other matches. It is very difficult to compare us with this team†he added
Nshimiyimana said “It was nice moment for us, spectacular with motivation of beating Uganda away so we needed to win one match to qualify. Every player gave his best for the match. That time Rwandans were happy. We didn’t have pressure because Rwandans behind us after beating Uganda and in trainings everyone was helping each other. We knew, were going to face big team and big players but we always know that we are capable of winning the game.â€
“Our President Paul Kagame came to us to give his advices and motivate us. The whole of Rwanda was positive, everyone wanted to win at home, they were hot favorites, but they were leaving nothing to chance.â€
“That time it was not a lot many journalists like today and the pressure was not too high. For me I was supposed to keep the eye on Sammy Apiah. We were watching them on TV and I took one week to study his movement and his strongest side of scoring and my colleges gave me some advices and we worked togetherâ€
The goal came just at the starting of the second half after Janvier Elias Ntaganga’s cross from the left wing and Jimmy Gatete scored with cool head.
“It was fan for whole country. Jimmy Gatete has lot of qualities, dribbling, scoring and shooting so it was hard to catch him. They wanted draw to qualify but we are determined to make a history and the whole country was behind us,†Nshimiyimana said.
Former Amavubi skipper, Olivier Karekezi the team can take the confidence from 2003 win to get better results. “They don’t have to fear, everyone knows that they are favorite but our young team can show the confidence and this is time to make another history for Rwanda.†Karekezi said.
2003 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers squad against Ghana: Mouhamud Mossi, Abdul Sibomana, Elias Ntaganda, Hamad ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana, Leandre Bizagwira, Eric Nshimiyimana, Jean Pierre Joao Elias Manamana, Olivier Karekezi, Désiré Mbonabucya, Gatete Jimmy and Saidi Abedi Makasi.
Substitutes: Ramadhani Nkunzingoma, Frédéric Rusanganwa, Canisius Nshimiyimana, Henri Munyaneza, Jean Lomani, Benoit Mukoko and Jean Paul Nsengiyumva.