Haruna in Buoyant Mood

Ostine Arinaitwe

3 June 2011

AMAVUBI captain Haruna Niyonzima believes the midfield will be key in Sunday’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Burundi.

Despite winning the first leg 3-1, the Swallows enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but failed to put away their chances.

Amavubi coach Sellas Tetteh packed the midfield (Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza a.k.a Migi, Niyonzima, Jacques Tuyisenge, Adolphe Hakundukize and Jean Claude Iranzi) in that game but that could still not deter Burundi from dominating proceedings.

However, with the suspension of Iranzi and arrival of Olivier Karekezi, the Ghanaian is bound to make changes.

“We have a couple of new guys in the team so we have been working on different formations but I know the coach has it all figured out,” the 23-year-old said.

The wasps have their final training session this morning (Kicuriko artificial turf) before their departure tomorrow morning.

Tetteh is also expected to name his final 18-man squad this afternoon.

Rwanda is chasing for their first away win of the campaign which could leave them second in Group H if Benin loses to Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

Ivory Coast tops the Group with 9 points; Benin is second on 4 points while Rwanda is third on 3 points. Burundi lies at the bottom with one point.

Sunday’s game will be handled by Mohamadou Mal Souley from Cameroon.

June 5

Burundi vs Rwanda (Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium) – 3pm

Ivory Coast vs Benin

AllAfrica – All the Time