Kagame's team talk inspires Amavubi

Rwanda captain Jacques Tuyisenge has said that their meeting with President Paul Kagame has inspired them to go all out for the fight of advancing to the semi-finals of the Africa Nations Championships that is due on Saturday.

CHAN hosts Rwanda take on DR Congo in the first quarter final Saturday.

Tuyisenge said that the talk by President Paul Kagame was so inspiring to them and yet it did not put them under pressure to see that they go for a win.

"He did not demand results but told us to give it all their best and that is what we are going to go for, to give it all," said Tuyisenge.

Rwandese football team supporters. Photo by Norman Katende

Kagame is reported to have paid a courtesy call to the team, telling them that it is not a win that matters in football but the fact that you give it all you can, so that no one will blame them even if they lose.

"He talked to us like a father and we appreciated his talk. The onus is now on us to give it all we can so that we can make it to the semi-finals. It is going to be a tough game but we will give it all the best," said Tuyisenge

Physical side

Meanwhile coach Jonathan Mckinstry has promised an all attacking game against a physical DR Congo, saying that only that will save them from being injured from a physical team.

Rwanda will face a physical DR Congo outfit (in picture). Photo by Norman Katende

"They are a physical and aggressive team and in one of the games, they committed over 34 fouls. They have fast-paced wingers and the only thing we have to do is to play a fast game and try to deny them passing the ball. We need to move the ball so fast," said Mckinstry at a press conference ahead of their encounter tomorrow.

Mckinstry, who rested six players after having qualified before losing to Morocco 4-1 said that this helped him a lot to have fresh legs as DR Congo rested nine players from the starting line-up.

Mckinstry said that it will be a tough game because of their history. Rwanda has beaten them twice before.

"We know the emotions are too high but we have told our players to stay calm and focus on the game. We have psychologically mentored them into knowing that this is a game where they can win or lose so let them not put unnecessary pressure on them," said Mckinstry.

Mckinstry said that they need to improve in all  departments as they are facing  a team that has  better experience, despite beating them at the two times they have met, the most recent being  at the build up to the tournament.