Cecafa Nile Basin Cup

May 22

Etincelles vs. Hey Al Arab 

May 24

Etincelles vs. Flambeau 

May 26

Etincelles vs. Arab Contractors 

RWANDA representatives in the inaugural Cecafa Nile Basin Cup tournament Etincelles are expected to jet out to Sudan on Monday ready to take part in the tournament which kicks off on May 22. 

Etincelles, who got the chance to represent the country in the newly established Cecafa tournament following AS Kigali’s withdrawal, will depart with a contingent of 25 people. 

AS Kigali decided not to take part in the event to concentrate on this year’s Peace Cup competition with their next game pitting them against Rayon Sports in the 1/8th round on June 4. 

Etincelles coach Abdu Bizimana said that despite the short notice, his team had tried to prepare for the regional tournament and hoped to perform well. 

"I have tried to assemble my team and we are looking forward to the tournament with great optimism,” he said. 

Speaking about his team’s ability to challenge for the title, Bizimana said that he has faith in the boys as they are in high spirits. 

The Rubavu-based club, who finished in tenth place in last season’s league with 23 points, will take on host club Hey Al Arab (Sudan) in Group D’s opening match on May 22, then Burundi’s Flambeau de l’Est on May 24, before winding up with a tough challenge against three-time winners of the Africa Cup Winners Cup Arab Contractors (Egypt) on May 26. 

The match venues are all in Khartoum, Shandy and the Red-Sea city of Port Sudan. 

The Government of Sudan will cater for all the expenses during the competition with winners expected to bag $30,000, and runners-up $20,000 while $10,000 await second runners-up.