Rwanda's U23 Football Team Prepares to Face Cameroon

The head coach of Rwanda's U23 football team, Eric Nshimiyimana, has expressed confidence in his team's abilities ahead of their match against Cameroon. In a press conference held at the Kigali Pelé Stadium, Nshimiyimana stated that his team is well-prepared to face the Cameroonian team, which he described as a formidable opponent with a rich history in African football. He emphasized that his team will focus on their own strengths and strategies rather than dwelling on Cameroon's past achievements.

Nshimiyimana highlighted that Cameroon's reputation as a top African football team is based on past performances, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. He stressed that his team will not be intimidated by Cameroon's history and will instead focus on their own game plan. The coach expressed his team's determination to win the match and progress to the next round of the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The coach also addressed the absence of Niyo David, a player from NK Veres Rivne in Ukraine's top division, who was expected to join the team but failed to report due to issues with his documentation. Nshimiyimana expressed disappointment but emphasized that the team has alternative plans in place and sees this as an opportunity for other players to step up.

Team captain Kennedy Hoziana echoed the coach's sentiments, emphasizing that the team's sole focus is on winning the match. He expressed confidence in the team's abilities and urged Rwandan fans to come out in support, promising that they will work together to achieve a positive result.

The first leg of the match between Rwanda and Cameroon is scheduled to take place at the Kigali Pelé Stadium on November 11, 2026, with the return leg set for November 17, 2026, in Yaoundé. The team that wins the two-legged tie will progress to the third round of qualifiers, where they will face the winner of the match between South Africa and Madagascar.

The 2027 African Cup of Nations is set to take place in Egypt, and the tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Nshimiyimana emphasized that his team's primary goal is to win the match and progress to the next round, rather than focusing on the opponent's strengths or weaknesses.

The Rwandan team's preparation and determination to succeed are evident ahead of the crucial match against Cameroon. With the support of their fans, the team is poised to give a strong performance and make a positive impact in the qualifiers.

Key points

• The Rwandan U23 football team's coach, Eric Nshimiyimana, has urged fans to support the team ahead of their match against Cameroon.