Thierry Manzi’s 66th minute header handed Rwanda a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in a 2018 Africa Nations Championship’s Group C match  at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier on Friday.

It proved to be an open game in the first 20 minutes, although neither side could create any clear cut openings.

For Amavubi, it has been a quite afternoon for Innocent Nshuti and Abbedy Biramahire, who have been getting no joy upfront against Nzalang’s central defenders.

The same can be said about Equatorial Guinea’s frontline, although Pedro Oba showed a few neat touches in the middle of the park.

Although, Antonio Hey’s side failed to get a hold of possession during the middle of the park, as the Equatorial Guinea midfield came out on top in the midfield battle.

Indeed,it was a sloppy affair with both teams unable to maintain possession for long periods of time and chances on goal were few and far between which saw the stanza end 0-0.

In the second half, Amavubi should have opened the scoring in the 48th minute but Djihan Bizimana was denied by the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Eyama from six-yards out.

Equatorial Guinea had a chance to take the lead in the 59th minute, as un-marked Oba blasted over from close range, after an error from the Rwanda defence.

Hey’s eventually took the lead in the 66nd minute courtesy of a powerful header from midfielder Thierry Manzi from a corner kick.

Rwanda could have added another minutes later but Kayumba’s poor finish let him down, however Amavubi managed to hold on and claim the win.

Line-ups:

Rwanda: Ndayishimiye, Bizimana, Kayumba, Manzi, Rutanga, Iradukunda (Omborenga 46’), Mukunzi, Niyonzima, Usengimana (Hakizimana 62’), Biramahire, Nshuti (Nshimiyimana 87’).

Equatorial Guinea: M. Eyama, Maye, Atom, Anvene, Nzang, Basilio (Dalin 85’), Eworo (Obama 86’), Eko, Ondo (N. Eyama 70’), Eneme, Oba.