Hosts Rwanda got their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast.

Defender Emery Bayisenge was the hero for the Amavubi with his well-taken free-kick on the 15 minute mark proving to be the difference between both two sides.

It was the perfect start the host nation had dreamed off as the packed crowd at the Amahoro stadium including President Paul Kagame left the stadium in ecstatic mood.

Rwanda had the better of both sides and could have easily doubled the lead but for a magnoficient Ali Sangare save.

The Amavubi however survived a late scare on 89 minutes after Ivorian striker,Guiza’s volley bounced off the crossbar with Ndayishimiye completely beaten.

Ivory Coast will be hoping to win the remaining two fixtures to stand any chance of progressing to the quarterfinals. The Elephants are yet to progress from the group stage in their two other appearances in the tournament.

In the other game of the day,Gabon and Morocco settled for a barren draw at the Amahoro Stadium.

Both sides failed to find the back of the net in a game watched by over 20,000 fans with neither team able to take full control of the game.

Chances were few and far between both teams and both teams will require an improved performance in subsequent games to stand any chance of progressing to the next stage of the tournament.

The result leaves hosts Rwanda at the summit of Group with three points, Gabon an with Morocco in that order with a point each and Cote d’Ivoire at the bottom pointless.
 
Gabon next play host Rwanda on January 20 whilst Morocco faces Cote d’Ivoire, both at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali.

-
Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag