International Football
Kenya holds Rwanda in another East African World Cup qualifying derby
Abdul Rwatubyaye’s fortunate 21st minute goal cancelled out Michael Olunga’s ninth minute opener as Kenya and Rwanda played to a 1-1 draw in Kigali on Sunday another of the East African derby matches in Group E of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The draw meant Kenya temporarily go to second spot with two points, pending the tie between group leaders Mali and Uganda in Kampala on Monday.
Coming into the tie after a 0-0 draw at home against Uganda, Kenya looked to start the game better with an improved attacking acumen. They went into the lead in the ninth minute when Olunga rifled home from close range with his weaker right foot.
But, the home side which lost 1-0 away to Mali in the first game got back on level terms in the 21st minute.
A cross from Haruna Niyonzima was headed goalward by Jacques Tuyisenge and it fortunately hit the back of Rwatubyaye, the ball changing direction and going past keeper Ian Otieno.
It turned out to be a closely contested tie and the only other real chance in the half came six minutes from the break. Masud Juma took a good run on the left before cutting back. However, Eric Johannah slipped as he tried to adjust his body to take a shot.
In the second half Rwandese keeper Emery Mvuyekure who plays his club football in Kenya with league champions Tusker FC made a great save just a minute in, tipping Olunga’s brilliantly curled freekick behind for a corner.
Stars then made attacking changes to keep the tempo up, Abdallah Hassan coming on for Lawrence Juma.
In the 57th minute, Olunga should have surely buried the second for Kenya when he picked the ball brilliantly on the left, skipped past one marker before dummying the second. However, his final shot was way wide, just from the edge of the six yard box.
The lanky forward had another chance three minutes later when Daniel Sakari’s cross landed on him at the back post but he bounced his connection just over.
In the 65th minute, Meddie Kagere who had come on as an early sub in the first half had a chance for Rwanda with a volley on the halfturn off a throw-in, but it went just wide.
With the clock ticking and a goal desperately needed, Kenya made another chance with Boniface Muchiri coming on for Johannah. The Tusker FC forward had a chance to score six minutes from time off a counter, but he was clipped from behind by Rwanda skipper Haruna Niyonzima.
From the resultant setpiece, Muchiri curled his effort wide.
There was no change in score even with Kenya bringing on Henry Meja late on.
Uganda takes on Mali in the group’s other game on Monday.
Brazil will round off their 2025 calendar with two friendly matches in Europe next month, taking on Senegal and Tunisia as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian FA (CBF) announced on Thursday.
The five-time world champions, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, will face Senegal on November 15 at Emirates Stadium in London and, three days later, they will meet Tunisia in Lille, France.
The CBF announced that these fixtures were designed to “provide the team with valuable experience against African opposition” ahead of next year’s tournament in North America.
After the conclusion of the South American qualifiers, the choice of opponents follows October’s encounters against Asian teams, which saw Brazil beat South Korea 5-0 but suffer a stunning first defeat to Japan.
With coach Ancelotti facing limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid, the matches form part of a broader plan to expose Brazil to a variety of playing styles in preparation for next year’s the World Cup.
Looking ahead to March 2026, the CBF has indicated that Brazil’s next set of friendlies will likely be against top-level European nations, with the U.S. as the expected venue.
Ancelotti has been steadily implementing his vision for the squad and has emphasised the importance of adapting to diverse tactical challenges, particularly against teams from other continents.
CBF sources indicated that the plan for the three remaining international breaks would be to make final observations regarding players and tactical adjustments in November, lock in the starting line-up in March and strengthen ties with Brazilian fans with a final friendly at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana before departing for the tournament.
The upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia will provide an opportunity to test Brazil’s readiness against two of Africa’s strongest sides.
Senegal boast a formidable squad featuring Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly. They shocked Brazil 4-2 in their last encounter, a friendly played in Lisbon two years ago.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are known for their defensive organisation and have consistently performed well in African competitions.
Back in September they were the second African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare.
-Reuters
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Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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