Rwanda and Morocco progress to quarter-finals at African Nations Championship Tuesday, 26 January 2021
Rwanda have qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship after coming from behind to beat Togo in a crunch Group C clash in Cameroon.
Rwanda finished second behind Morocco, who topped the group with a 5-2 thrashing of Uganda.
Needing to claim all three points to book a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Togo, Rwanda trailed 2-1 before goals from Jacques Tuyisenge and Ernest Suriga within the space of eight second-half minutes handed them victory.
Togo, who would have gone through with a draw, led through Yendoutie Nane before Olivier Niyonzima equalised for Rwanda in first-half stoppage time at Limbe Stadium in Limbe.
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CHAN newcomers Togo upset Uganda, Rwanda hold misfiring Morocco Douala (AFP) – Togo overcame the absence of coronavirus-hit coach Jean-Paul Abalo to upset Uganda 2-1 Friday and boost hopes of reaching the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals at the first attempt.
A Paul Mbowa own-goal gave Togo an early second-half lead in Cameroon Atlantic city Douala only for Ugandan Saidi Kyeyune to equalise just three minutes later through a 40-metre thunderbolt.
Togolese Yendoutie Nane scored the match-winner on 57 minutes with a looping half-volley that dropped behind goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.
It was among the best group matches of the 14 so far in the tournament for home-based footballers and compensated spectators for a dull 0-0 draw between title-holders Morocco and Rwanda a few hours before.
Rwanda’s goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera had to be alert to deny Morocco El Kaabi with a fine save seven minutes after the resumption of the second half as the champions exerted more pressure.
The Sparrowhawks, who are debuting in the tournament, moved second courtesy of a maiden 2-1 win against the Cecafa champions.
Meanwhile, an own goal from Paul Mbowa in the 48th minute contributed big in handing Le Roy a win in Cameroon. Uganda were not discouraged by the goal as they equalised three minutes later when Saidi Kyeyune scored a classic goal.
Togo fought and restored the lead when Yendoutie Nane’s curling effort from some 20 yards out beat Charles Lukwago in Uganda’s goal in the 57th minute.