Rwanda-Egypt qualifier pushed to July 5

The world football governing body, Fifa has shifted Rwanda’s World Cup and African Cup qualifier against Egypt in Cairo to July 5.

• Ferwafa boss, Brig. Gen. Jean Bosco Kazura said last Friday in a press conference that the Amavubi Stars will play the Pharaohs July 5 and not June 10 as had earlier been scheduled.
• “This was a decision taken by Fifa because Egypt had requested them (Fifa) postpone the game to enable them prepare and participate in the Fifa Confederations Cup.
• “It was Fifa’s decision and we must abide by it but one thing for sure is that the change will not affect Amavubi’s preparations,” Kazura said.
• Earlier last month, Rwanda had declined to change the dates for their World/Africa Nations’ Cup Group C qualifier.
• Egyptian Football Association (EFA) informed Rwanda of their intention to have the qualifier moved to June 12 but after consulting different parties involved in the preparation of the Amavubi team, Ferwafa decided to give the cold-shoulder to the Egyptians.
• The Egyptian FA informed Fifa of the difficulty of facing Rwanda on June 10, following Algeria’s alteration to the original date of their 2010 World Cup qualifiers meeting with Egypt.
• The FA received a notification from the Algerian Football Federation a fortnight ago, setting June 7 as the new date of their qualifier, one day later than the pre-agreed date.
• This change meant that African champions Egypt would have had less than three days to prepare for the Rwanda tie.
• Rwanda will play away to Zambia on June 6 as Egypt battle Algeria in a Northern Africa affair derby on June 7.
• Egypt will take in this year’s Fifa Confederations Cup which gets underway in South Africa from June 14-28.
• The African champions will face Brazil, Italy and USA in Group B in South Africa, who will host the competition starting June 15th.