Branko Blames Referee For Rwanda's Defeat To Egypt

Rwanda head coach Tucak Branko was quick to blame Nigerian referee Emmanuel Imiere for playing a part in the 3-0 defeat against Egypt in Cairo.

The Croat told the Egyptian media after the game on Sunday, "There was no justice today. Egypt is a great team, but we did enough to at least earn a point. Our strikers were not lucky in converting the chances they had."

Amavubi seemed headed for a good result after a spirited first-half display in which the Egyptian side showed no sense of urgency. But after a stirring half-time talk from their coach, Hassan Shehata, the African champions showed their mettle as the 2008 BBC African Footballer of the year, Mohamed Aboutrika, opened the scoring.

Hosni Abd-Rabou doubled Egypt's lead from the spot and Aboutrika completed his brace deep into injury time with an easy tap-in. Egypt could have scored more had it not been for the heroics of Rwanda’s experienced ' keeper, Jean Claude Ndoli.

The APR custodian denied Mohamed Zidan three times. He also made a spectacular save from Abd-Rabou's long-range effort before Aboutrika finally ended the Pharaohs' jinx with a neatly worked header.

Although many Rwandans now know that a debut appearance at next year's World Cup is out of the equation, the Croat has cautioned the Amavubi Stars to stay focused, insisting that there is still a mathematical chance of making the trip to South Africa.

"We cannot give up on our cause. We still have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup," he said.

Sunday's result means that Egypt are now three points adrift of Group C leaders Algeria, while Rwanda are rooted at the foot of the group with one point.

Rwanda's next qualifier will be staged in Kigali on September 5 against Egypt.

James Momanyi, Goal.com