New England Names Shine Bright on International Stage
Tuesday saw several New England-based players return to action on the international stage.
Tuesday saw several New England-based players return to action on the international stage as Revolution midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, Rhode Island FC midfielder Jojea Kwizera, and Hartford Athletic midfielder Emmanuel Samadia represented their respective national teams.
Alhassan Yusuf was an unused substitute as Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe. Victor Osimhen put Nigeria ahead in the 75th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Ola Aina from the left flank and headed the ball into the net. Just as it looked like Nigeria would secure all three points with a win, things changed in stoppage time when Tawanda Chirewa got on the end of Tawanda Maswanhise’s pass into the box and drove to goal. Chirewa snuck the ball under a diving Stanley Nwabili and drilled it into the net to secure a point for both sides as things ended in a 1-1 draw.
Jojea Kwizera and Rwanda returned to action as they faced Lesotho in World Cup Qualifying action. Tuesday saw Jojea Kwizera in the starting lineup as he and Rwanda looked to inch closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
After a scoreless first half, Kwizera helped liven things up in the 59th minute. Thierry Manzi rocketed a ball forward from Rwanda’s defensive half that fell perfectly into the path of Kwizera. The RIFC man turned on the jets, outpaced the Lesotho defense, and ran onto the open ball before drilling it past Sekhoane Moerane to give Rwanda the 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately for Kwizera and Rwanda, they failed to capture all three points as a goal from Lehlohonolo Fothoane in the 82nd minute that led to a 1-1 draw at full-time.
Tuesday’s meeting against Egypt saw Emmanuel Samadia get the start at left back. Zizo’s first-half stoppage-time goal was the deciding factor in Tuesday’s match as Egypt secured a 1-0 victory. The Hartford man played all 90 minutes for Sierra Leone.