When Rwanda’s Amavubi beat the Leopards of DR Congo 1-0 in a group “A” match of the 2004 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia, it is said that the goal scorer, Said Abed Makasi, a naturalized Rwanda player with roots from Eastern Congo DR was branded a traitor and their house back at home in Congo set a blaze by the angry Leopards fans.

The incident will perhaps set the tone for the Saturday 30 do or die clash between the two land locked neighbors in the quarterfinals of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Amahoro Stadium as it points to a fierce rivalry.

It is a belief among the Congolese fans that they are a superior footballing nation compared to their neighbors; a notion the Amavubi will not take lying down, and they will seek to set records straight when they meet the Coach Florent Ibenge’s side for the third time this weekend.

Amavubi Coach Johnny McKinstry is however a live to heavy task which awaits his charges, but he will not despair.

“This is probably the most difficult opponent we could have faced. DR Congo have started the tournament in scintillating form; and despite our 1-0 win in a pre-CHAN friendly, it was clear from the game they would be one of the favorites,” he said.

“For our part we will be doing everything possible to produce a performance that will help us forward in the competition and we ask our supporters to turn the Amahoro a sea of yellow, and turn the volume up to maximum to help the team get the result that we want.”

In the run up to the tournament Rwanda and DR Congo played a friendly match at Umuganda Stadium which Rwanda won 1-0 through captain Jacques Tuyisenge’s goal.

The road to quarterfinals.

Rwanda was the first team to reach the last eight having recorded two successive wins over Ivory Coast (1-0), and Gabon (2-1) – before receiving a thrashing 4-1 in the hands of Morocco in their last tie of group “A”, however it never broke a bone for they had made it to quarterfinals and topped the group.

DR Congo on the other hand sounded a warning in the first match, smashing Ethiopia 3-0; they then went ahead to put four past Angola in a 4-2 win at Huye, before being stopped 3-1 by Cameroon who ran away with group “B”.

Players to watch.

Even though he hasn’t put his name on the score sheet, wish away Rwanda skipper Jacques Tuyisenge at your own peril. The Gor Mahia forward is a leader in the field; his positioning inside the box is very good and he can link up play and also set up scoring opportunities.

Emery Bayisenge was the hero in Amavubi’s 1-0 win over Ivory Coast; he will be a key figure in the match. The APR defender is good with set pieces, an area he will be relied upon when such situations arise; he will also be making sure that the defense is water tight.

On the DR Congo side, Elia Meschack will be hunting for his third goal of the tournament, the SC Don Bosco is a goal poacher and can be very dangerous given a half chance in front of goal.

AS Vita Club’s Heritier Luvumbu will be another player of interest in the match; the 22 year old scored in the Leopards’ 3-0 win over Ethiopia.

Prediction: Rwanda 2-1 DR Congo

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com