2015 Afcon Qualifier

May 18

Rwanda vs. Libya

RWANDA Football Federation (Ferwafa) has appointed AS Kigali coach Andre Cassa Mbungo as the Amavubi assistant coach.

The appointment comes as the national team starts preparations for the 2015 Afcon qualifier against Libya today.

The Ferwafa Spokesperson Vedaste Kayiranga confirmed the development yesterday.

"Cassa has been appointed the assistant coach and he will take charge of the Amavubi team with immediate effect. He will assist the head coach in identifying potential players who will be summoned to face Libya on May 18,” Kayiranga said.

APR FC coach Vincent Mashami has also been selected on a temporary basis to work with Cassa Mbungo for the whole of this month such that they can collectively work hand in hand to ensure qualification into the second round of the 2015 Africa Nations qualifiers.

Coach Gilbert Yaounde Kanyankole is the Amavubi team manager while Ibrahim Mugisha will maintain his role as the goalkeeper’s coach, Kayiranga revealed before adding that the head coach will be unveiled before the end of this week.

Cassa Mbungo has been instrumental this season for the Kigali City sponsored club. Besides helping AS Kigali finish third in the Turbo King Football league this season, he also helped the club to reach the 1/8th round of the Africa Confederation Cup on its maiden appearance in the continental club football.

Mashami, a youthful coach formerly with Isonga and Rwanda U-17 team guided champions APR to the 2013/14 Turbo King Football league title on Sunday after acquiring 64 points in 26 matches played this season.

The duo, who has replaced Eric Nshimiyimana and Jean Baptista Kayiranga, has a tough assignment of ensuring that Rwanda goes past Libya and the winner between Namibia and Congo to qualify to the group stages of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier.

They summoned a 25-man team which regroups today to start intensive preparations. The team is made up of players who have been influential in their respective clubs this season, either locally or internationally.

Four professional players namely Salomon Nirisarike (Royal Antwerp), Haruna Niyonzima (Young Africans), Daddy Birori (AS Vita), and Elias Uzamukunda (AS Cannes) have been called to beef up the local stars.

Birori was last summoned to the Amavubi team last year under Serbian Milutin Sredojovic Micho’s reign.  But his prowess this year has seen him help Congolese AS Vita qualify into the group stages of the African Champions league.

Local stars such as midfielder Leon Uwambazimana, Djamal Mwiseneza, defender James Tubane and striker Jimmy Mbaraga will be fundamental as Rwanda seeks qualification against Libya who won the 2014 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) title.

Rwanda last qualified to the Africa Nations Cup finals in 2004 under Serbian Ratomir Djukovic who is also among potential candidates seeking the vacant head coach role.

Amavubi provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Rayon), Jean Claude Ndoli (APR) and Emery Mvuyekure (AS Kigali) 

Defenders: Salomon Nirisarike (Royal Antwerp), James Tubane (AS Kigali), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Ismail Nshutiyamagara (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Abouba Sibomana (Rayon) and Mwemere Girinshuti (AS Kigali) 

Midfielders: Jean Baptista Mugiraneza (APR), Leon Uwambazimana (Rayon), Andrew Buteera (APR), Djamal Mwiseneza (Rayon), Innocent Habyarimana (Police), Haruna Niyonzima (Young Africans) and Rodrique Murengezi (AS Kigali) 

Strikers: Meddie Kagere (Rayon), Michel Ndahinduka (APR), Daddy Birori (AS Vita), Elias Uzamukunda (AS Cannes), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Andre Lomami (Espoir) and Jimmy Mbaraga (AS Kigali).