Rwanda U23 head coach Eric Nshimiyimana and captain Hoziyana Kennedy are confident the team can beat Cameroon in the first leg of the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Amavubi U23 completed their final training session on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Kigali Pelé Stadium, where they will host Cameroon U23 on Wednesday, November 11, at 6pm.
Speaking to journalists at the stadium, Nshimiyimana said Cameroon’s strong history in African football should not intimidate his players, stressing that preparation and confidence would be more important when the teams meet.
He acknowledged that obtaining sufficient information about Cameroon had been difficult, but said the technical team had done its best to study their opponents, including watching footage of their previous matches.
“We are well prepared. It was difficult to obtain enough information to understand how our opponents play, but that is no excuse because we are ready. Almost all the players who featured in our last match against Sudan are available, with 99 per cent of those who started that game included in the current squad. We have also brought in a few other players to assess how we can strengthen the team,” he said.
Nshimiyimana said the team’s ability to read the game early and take control from the opening minutes would be crucial.
He added that he was not concerned about Cameroon’s football history or the reputation of former stars such as Samuel Eto’o, noting that football continues to evolve and Rwanda U23 have the ability to compete against them.
“When you prepare well and believe in yourself, I believe you can achieve the result you want,” he said.
The coach said he wanted his players to take to the pitch with a clear intention to win, believing no team should come to Kigali and beat them in front of their home supporters.
Captain Hoziyana Kennedy echoed his coach’s confidence, saying the team was focused on securing victory in the first leg rather than being intimidated by Cameroon’s reputation.
“We are not concerned about Cameroon’s name. What we want is victory. Fans should come and be our 12th player. The more they turn up, the more strength they give us,” he said.
Hoziyana called on Rwandans to turn out and support the national team, saying players and supporters shared the same ambition of winning.
Rwanda U23 will be without Muhoza Daniel, who was sent off in the return leg against Sudan, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Juba.
The Amavubi reached this stage after eliminating Sudan 4-1 on aggregate. Rwanda won the first leg 3-0 in Kigali on September 30, 2026, before drawing 1-1 in the return match in Juba on October 6.
The matches form part of the second round of the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, which will determine the teams competing in the tournament in Egypt. The winner on aggregate over the two legs between Rwanda and Cameroon will advance to the third and final qualifying round.
After Wednesday’s first leg in Kigali, Rwanda U23 will travel to Yaoundé for the return match scheduled for November 17, 2026.
