Kigali: Rwanda’s Amavubi team booked their fourth Championship of African Nations (CHAN) slot after a 2-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia on Saturday at Stade de Kigali in Kigali City.
In Saturday’s return leg, striker Sugira Ernest scored an 82nd equalizing goal for the hosts following a 70th minute goal from Ethiopian Lemene Mesfin Tafesse.
The goal was the second for Sugira in this qualification campaign as following his strike in the first leg, which was played in Mekelle, Ethiopia last month.
With a barren first half, both sides played more of entertaining game in the second half with Rwanda dominating the midfield while Ethiopia excelled with their stylish play as they comfortably mounted a good defense.
The Ethiopians snatched the opening goal when Amavubi centre back Manzi Thierry tried to head back pass giving an opportunity to the approaching striker Lemene Mesfin Tafesse to score past the helpless Kimenyi Yves.
The Amavubi players reorganized themselves with Haruna Niyonzima offering to play a free role in the midfield. Sugira scored the equalizing goal after heading a cross from Ombolega Fitina which went past Ethiopian goalie Lealem Birhanu to send the whole stadium in jubilation.
With a 1-all draw, Rwanda sealed their ticket to continental championship following a 2-1 aggregate.
Qualification to next year’s CHAN finals will be the fourth appearance for Rwanda who have competed at the 2018, 2016 and 2011 Africa Nations Championships.
Since the inception of CHAN in 2009, Rwanda has only missed the inaugural edition and the 2014 tournament, making its debut in 2011 before hosting the 2016 showpiece and qualifying for the fifth edition, hosted and won by Morocco, last year.
However, the country’s best performance in the tournament only remains reaching the quarterfinals in 2016. Amavubi bowed out from the group stage at the 2011 and 2018 editions. (End)