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Africa U-17 championship

Saturday

Rwanda vs. Botswana

Rwanda’s U-17 team, Junior Wasps hosts Botswana’s Young Zebras in a tricky contest at Amahoro stadium where a 2-0 win will see the country reaching the last qualifying round.

Despite dominating the first leg match, the junior wasps suffered a second half goal loss to their hosts courtesy of Allan Ndodore at Molepolole Sports Complex.

According to head coach Richard Tardy, his team will be offensive in order to score early. “These are young boys that need everyone’s support. I call upon fans to come and support these boys and am sure they will satisfy everyone,”

“We have to score and our approach will not be different from the first leg. I have told them to play an attacking football but be cautious of any counter attacks thus defense must be solid too,” said Tardy.

Tardy further noted that whatever results comes out of today’s game, blame should not be put on the team because they never had ample preparations to enable them excel in this campaign.

“Preparations were not enough and we are now facing consequences of having started preparing this team late. So whatever comes out of tomorrows (today) game should be appreciated but I promise these youngsters are ready to sacrifice their ability such that they can qualify for the next round,” added Tardy.

His Botswana counterpart, Kagiso Kobedi said that his team is ready and confident to hold on to their slender lead and reach the next round.

“It will not be easy because Rwandans will be playing at home with backing from home fans. I have cautioned my boys to only focus on displaying good football and ensure they don’t concede any goal,”

“We will not sit back and defend but we will play convincing football so as to get a good result,” added Kobedi.

While Rwanda is looking to make a second appearance in the African Junior Championship, Botswana is desperate to make their debut in the tournament which also serves as a qualifier for the Fifa U-17 World Cup.

The winner over the two-legged qualifier will face the winner between Sudan and Algeria in the final qualifying leg due later this year.

Fourteen countries will take part in the 2013 African U-17 Championship, which will be held in Morocco from April 13 – 27.