Wasps plot to trim Cameroon to siz

BY BONNIE MUGABE

Africa Youth Championship
21 January 2009

Group A
Mali v Ghana 2pm
Cameroon v Rwanda 4pm

Rwanda’s U-20 team are in for a tough challenge when they take on Cameroon this afternoon in the ongoing African Youth Championship at Amahoro stadium.

The Junior Wasps go into today’s game with three points amassed in the 2-1 from the opening day victory over Mali while Cameron where lucky to draw 1-1 with Ghana.

Victory for the hosts will be enough to make them the first team to qualify for the semi-finals but it won’t be easy against a very physical Cameroon side that will be looking at this match as one they must win to have a chance of surviving the group.

After the win over Mali, the Junior Wasps will be under no pressure as even a draw is a good result in terms of staying on course for a place not only in the last four of this competition but the next Fifa World Youth Championship in Egypt later this year.

Coach Obradovic Tomislav has a fully fit squad to pick from as he seeks to make history as the first man o to lead Rwanda to a major continental title.

But the Croat will have to rectify the weaknesses in his team’s defence and midfield which were evident in the opener against Mali.

“We made a lot of mistakes in the first match but it was expected due to the amount of pressure my players were under, first from the crowd and secondly from our opponents,” admitted Tomislav.

After the win over Mali, Tomislav’s confidence increased by a notch and he believes that his team have a good chance of not only reaching the last four but also lifting the title on home soil.

Cameroon Coach Alain Wabo, who will be aiming for nothing less than a win in today’s game, is set to change the game tactically as he seeks Cameroon’s first win of the tournament.

Two years ago, Cameroon failed to go past the first round in Congo Brazzaville. However, they have since made up for this by summoning overseas-based players Espanyol’s Asong Joseph Leke, Bosso Aristide Cedric of Anderlecht and Nkoum Victor Cedric (Paris Saint-Germain) to boost their chances of making further progress in this tournament.

“Our game against Rwanda will be a 50-50 match but I will change my tactics to enable my team record the much needed victory,” vowed Wabo, adding that both sides will play a good game owing to Rwanda’s excellent performance in the first game.

Ghana takes on Mali in the day’s first game with both sides search for maximum points to keep them in the race for the semi-final spot.