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Sports Mole previews Monday’s African Nations Championship clash between Rwanda and Uganda, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Rwanda face local rivals Uganda in one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage, as bragging rights are at stake for both nations representing the East African region.
The Cranes of Uganda will aim to build on their successful run in the invitational friendly tournament, where they finished first with two wins and a draw in three starts, and collected all three points on Monday.
Match preview
Uganda, which missed the first edition of the African Nations Championship in 2009, made its debut in 2011 in Sudan and has become a regular face in the continental tournament, participating in all subsequent editions.
However, they have never made it past the group stage, and the head coach Johnathan McKinstry, who is also in charge of the Cranes senior team, will aim to end this losing streak.
The Northern Ireland coach was appointed head coach of the Uganda national team in September 2019, following his stint in Sierra Leone and regional rivals Rwanda.
While in Sierra Leone, McKinstry became the world’s youngest international manager at age 27, and led the Stars to the top 50 of the FIFA world rankings.
Uganda is a clear favorite when they take on Rwanda, having secured six wins and two draws in the last 10 meetings, while keeping six clean sheets in the process.
On the other hand, Rwanda booked their fourth appearance at the African Nations Championship thanks to a 1-0 win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, as they drew 1-1 at home in the second leg.
The Wasps’ best CHAN result came in 2016, when they hosted the tournament and were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
With both nations participating in pre-tournament friendlies, Rwanda fell 3-2 to two games against Congo-Brazzaville, while Uganda finished first with seven points in the invitational tournament in Douala, where they faced Cameroon, Niger and Zambia. .
Rwanda Form (all competitions): DDDDDL
Uganda form (all competitions): WWLDWW
Team news
There are some impact omissions in Rwanda’s 30-man final squad, with players like Police FC
Patrick Sibomana and SC Kiyovu’s side Serumogo ally abandoned by head coach Vincent Mashami.
AS Kigali midfielder Eric Nsabimana, popularly known as Zidane, will be the star man in the center of Rwanda’s park, while the forward of Rayon Sports Suggest Ernest He is expected to lead the attack.
Twizerimana Martin Fabrice scored both goals in the first-leg draw with Congo-Brazzaville, and the Police FC midfielder is expected to retain his spot in the starting lineup on Monday.
As for Uganda, the veteran Police FC midfielder Tonny mawejje has been called up to the Uganda national team after a three-year absence, as Johnathan McKinstry seeks to balance youth with experience.
Rwanda’s possible starting lineup:
Olivier; Ange, Faustin, Emery, Thierry; Olivier, Eric, Fabrice; Lague, Bertrand, Ernesto
Possible starting lineup for Uganda:
Mutakubwa; Muhamud, Mujuzi, Willa, Halid, Kayondo; Kagimu, Mawejje, Bobosi; Karisa, Ssekajugo
We say: Rwanda 0-2 Uganda
Uganda is coming off an excellent run in a friendly tournament showing glimpses of things to come, and considering their strong record against the Rwandan Wasps, the Cranes should comfortably win all three points on Monday.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com predict over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and to learn more about their tried and true soccer tips.More than 1.5: data
