Rwanda skipper Hamad Ndikumana is convinced that Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Egypt will be a tough encounter. Ndikumana, who has just taken the captaincy armband from Olivier Karekezi, pointed out that playing at Amahoro Stadium would encourage the Wasps Amavubi to pull off a good result. However, he lamented the absence of some key players ahead of the anticipated qualifying match. "The fact that we are playing at home should spur us on," the center-back said. "It is going to be difficult playing minus some of our top players like Eric Gasana, Patrick Mafisango and Jean Mugiraneza but we are ready to fight. "In the past few games, we have not been sharp enough in front of goal but we hope to put things right this Saturday." Egypt will also have to do without a good number of regulars. Strike duo Amr Zaki and Emad Meteb are unavailable through injury, while Mohamed Zidan was excluded as a disciplinary action for missing last month's friendly with Guinea. Zamalek frontman Mido was also left out of the squad due to lack of match fitness. Defender Mahmoud Fathallah was ruled out with a complex shoulder injury, while influential playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika remains doubtful. Support Rwanda's vice captain Karekezi called on the home side's fans to spare no effort to support their team during the match. "We have a huge task at hand and need all the support we can get from our home fans," he stated. The Pharaohs lie second in Group C with four points, three behind leaders Algeria with three matches to go. Zambia are third on four points, while Rwanda are languishing at the bottom with a sole point. Any stumble for Egypt against Rwanda, Zambia or Algeria in their remaining games will seriously diminish their chances of reaching the World Cup. Only the group winners will book a place in South Africa finals.
