The Rugby Africa Cup (RAC) 2020 elimination stage match between Ivory Coast and Rwanda is scheduled on Saturday, at the Bingerville Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Both teams are aiming to progress to the group stage of the RAC 2020, which gives sides the chance to compete in the tournament proper.
“The Rwanda Rugby national team is hopeful to win as our players got enough time to prepare for the Ivory Coast,” said Kamanda Tharcisse, president of Rwanda Rugby Federation.
“We started extensive training in September 2019 with the head coach Claude Aime Ezoua, and then received additional skills and experience from British, French and South African coaches. The Silverbacks [Rwanda] also played a friendly game with Inshuti Z’u Rwanda (Friends of Rwanda) on November 6, which helped in selecting the final list of 23 players.
“I am confident in everyone in the squad and believe in their spirit of teamwork and aggressiveness to contribute to positive results.”
Edgar Babou, Ivory Coast team manager team said: “This elimination match against Rwanda is very important for us as it will allow us to qualify further in the Rugby Africa Cup 2020 in June next year.
“We have started training sessions a couple of months ago with the group of players that are already here in Ivory Coast. We are going to put forward the most powerful team of the moment composed of players from the national championship and strengthened with some players coming from France, so we have consistency as well as the most forceful team available.”
“This match is of double importance to us because the Ivorian federation has launched a new project a couple of months ago with new partnerships and this tournament will give us visibility and put the new project into place.
“On the sports side, we have huge respect for the Rwandan team. We know that the team can benefit from continuity and they have been playing together for months. That’s why we do take this match very seriously and will meet Rwanda with big determination, but also respect.”
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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