Injured Kabanda out of FIFA, CAF matches

A hamstring injury has ruled out Rwanda’s Fifa/Caf assistant referee Felicien Kabanda from taking charge of the upcoming Fifa 2014 World Cup play-off qualifier and Caf Champions League engagements.

Friday, November 08, 2013

A hamstring injury has ruled out Rwanda’s Fifa/Caf assistant referee Felicien Kabanda from taking charge of the upcoming Fifa 2014 World Cup play-off qualifier and Caf Champions League engagements.Kabanda tweaked his hamstring on Tuesday while undertaking a personal fitness exercise ahead of the busy schedule.Consequently, he will miss the second leg of the African Champions League final between hosts and holders Al Ahly of Egypt and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates on Sunday in Cairo.He will also miss the second leg of the Fifa World cup play-off match between hosts Nigeria and Ethiopia due in Calabar on November 16 as well as the Fifa Club World Cup finals that kicks off in December in Morocco.Speaking to Saturday Sport, Kabanda said, "I hope I will recover in time for next year’s World Cup finals. It (injury) happened and I have no option but to take it on the chin and work hard towards making full recovery.”"I have been given a two-week rest and I hope to be back ahead of the Caf referees seminar in Egypt in late December, but am optimistic on a quick recovery,” added the former National Bank of Rwanda employee.