By Jejje Muhamudu;
Rwanda senior men’s football team; Amavubi have held the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to a goalless draw away in a game played in Yaoundé on Monday.
The match between the two sides is an international friendly aimed to prepare the teams for the 4th CHAN2020 tournament scheduled to be played in Cameroon in April.
The first half ended goalless despite the hosts being slightly the better side because of the home advantage. Both teams failed to put the ball behind the next in the second half-hour, leading the game to the full 90 minutes.
For Rwandan Coach Vincent Mashami, the draw is a good performance to try out his team which includes some new faces appearing in the national team for the first time.
Amavubi was captained by Thierry Manzi, the opening minutes saw Fitina Ombolenga on right frank, Herve Rugwiro, and Manzi in the central back, Djabel Imanishimwe started in the left-back and Ivy Kimenyi.
In Ally Niyonzima and Eric Nsabimana played the central role Bertrand Iradukunda from Mukura played in the attacking left-wing.
Hosts Cameroon will open their Total Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 campaign against Zimbabwe
Rwanda is seeded in Group C, alongside Morocco, Uganda, and Togo. Rwanda will square out with neighbors from East Africa representative Uganda who have qualified for every edition just like Rwanda.
Meanwhile, defending champions Morocco will face debutants Togo in their opening match. Togo qualified for their first-ever CHAN after beating 2018 finalists Nigeria in the final qualification round.
The Indomitable Lions are taking part in the CHAN tournament for the fourth time and will look to improve their best performances that saw them reach the quarter-finals on two occasions, Sudan 2011 and Rwanda 2016.
Starting line ups:
Rwanda: Thierry Manzi, Fitina Ombolenga, Djabel Imanishimwe, Ally Niyonzima, Eric Nsabimana, Bertrand Iradukunda, Nshuti. Ernest Sugira and Ivy Kimenyi.
Cameroon: Omossola, Tientcheu, Bawak, Dooh, Djob, Ojong, Onana, Mbarga, Iobe, Beo Batto, Nlend