Rwanda, Namibia and Ghana got off to a winning start in the CAF U-23 Championship Senegal 2015 qualifiers, with home victories over Somalia, Kenya and Liberia in the first leg of their first round encounters.
Twenty four nations are taking part in the race for a spot in the eight-team qualifying competition to the Summer Olympics Rio 2016 men’s football tournament, eighteen of whom will only kick off their campaign in the second or third round of qualifiers.
Namibia launched the long journey to Brazil with a 3-0 victory over Kenya in Lobatse on Friday.
After a goalless first half, two goals from striker Omaatla Kebatho either side of a 53rd minute successful attempt from midfielder Kabelo Seakanyeng allowed the hosts to travel to Nairobi for the return leg with a three-goal cushion.
And on Saturday, Rwanda defeated Somalia 2-0 in Kigali to also secure a comfortable advantage before hitting the road in a fortnight.
Yannick Mukumzi put the locals ahead in the 17th minute, heading home a cross from Janvier Mutjima, while second-half substitute Kevin Muhire doubled their lead in added time at the Amahoro Stadium.
“I am pleased with the result and the general performance from the players. We however failed to convert some good chances in the first half and the display in the second half was not that good,” Rwanda coach Jonathan McKinstry said after the game.
“Kevin Muhire scored a wonderful goal. He has the ability to even perform much better. Somalia played some good football in the midfield but we benefitted from their mistakes to claim an overall positive result.
“We still have some issues to rectify ahead of the second leg and I believe we will be much organized and better in the second leg.”
Ghana emulated the two winning sides with a 2-0 home victory over Liberia on Sunday, in the final first round battle of the weekend.
Kotoko’s Dauda Mohammed gave the ‘Black Meteors’ the lead before the half-an-hour mark, with Kennedy Ashia of Liberty sealing the win in the 65th minute.
The return legs will be played in a fortnight, with Namibia, Rwanda and Ghana hot favourites to book their place in the next round.