Kizza Off With Uganda for Rwanda Test

Montreal’s young left-sided defender packed his bags after the 2-1 success over Atlanta United, destination home...

He was an unused sub that night, but hopes to play a more telling role for his country in the upcoming international window in which his country faces Rwanda home and away.

The Cranes could do with a few more points on the board, and for sure a few goals. Each of their opening World Cup qualifying games ended scoreless against group leaders Mali (h) and Kenya (a). Kizza entered each of these games as a second-half replacement for the more experienced Joseph Ochaya who plays his football with TP Mazembe in DR Congo and is set to win his 50th cap.

Rwanda sit bottom of the qualifying group with a solitary point from a 1-1 home draw with Kenya.

It promises to be an incredibly tight series between the two nations, each which finds goals very hard to come by.

In the 2021 qualifying for African Cup of Nations Rwanda scored only once in six games, conceding a measly three times. Uganda managed three goals, conceding only twice.

Competitive internationals between the sides in the CECAFA Cup in recent years have seen Uganda prevail over their east African opponents three times in three attempts, all at neutral venues, although in the first of these the verdict was decided on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Kizza will be hoping to win his 7th and 8th full caps, he has more appearances for the national team set-up, but not at full international level.

None of the sides in CAF Group 3; Mali, Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda, have ever reached a World Cup finals. Only the group winners advance to the next stage of qualification.

Uganda first travel to Kigali (Stade Régional de Nyamirambo) for the away game on October 7 before returning home to host the Rwandans on October 10 at St. Mary’s Stadium-Kitende, in Entebbe.