Branko, Abedi join camp

Amavubi ready to break away curse Other pros to fly straight to Nouakchott 2010 Fifa/CAN qualifier September 6Mauritania  v  RwandaEthiopia     v  Morocco

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Saidi Abedi Makasi is Amavubi Stars leading scorer along with Olivier Karekezi with goals apiece. (Photo / File).

Amavubi ready to break away curse Other pros to fly straight to Nouakchott

2010 Fifa/CAN qualifier

September 6
Mauritania  v  Rwanda
Ethiopia     v  Morocco

RWANDA’S Amavubi Stars are tirelessly working round the clock to pull off an away win against Mauritania so as to reach the last qualifying phase of the 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers.

The team which started off intense preparations a fortnight ago has been boosted by the  return of head coach Tucak Branko and Israel based striker Said Abedi. The pair touched base on Tuesday.

Branko has been on holiday since the 2-0 defeat away to Morocco in mid June. In his absence, the team has been guided by his assistants Raoul Shungu and Eric Nshimiyimana.

Abedi has struck three goals in the 2010 Fifa/CAN qualification campaign. He and team captain Oliver Karekezi are Amavubi’s leading scorers with three goals apiece.

According to the Ferwafa vice president Veduste Kayiranga, the four other professionals will fly from their clubs straight to Nouakchott.

They include Jimmy Mulisa (K.S.V. Roeselare), Henry Munyaneza (K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot), Hamad Ndikumana (Omonio) and Norway’s Ham Kam striker Karekezi.

Bobo Bola (Laundkronabois) and Emeran Fritz Nkusi (Levadiakos) and Jimmy Gatete (Rayon Sports) are the notable absentees.

Nkusi and Gatete were frustrated on the sidelines while Bobo Bola failed to break into the starting eleven. Presently, Amavubi Stars lie second in their group (eight) with nine points. Group leaders Morocco also have nine points but boast of a superior goal difference.

Twenty countries will qualify for the third round of the competition with the group winners in the 12 groups qualifying automatically. Eight best runners-up will join the 12 group winners for the third round, taking the total number of teams to twenty.

Amavubi local summoned Squad: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Atraco), Jean Claude Ndoli (APR), Ismail Nshutinamagara (Atraco), Patrick Mafisango (Atraco), Bonaventure Hategikimana (Rayon), Amani Uwiringiyimana (Police), Aimable Rucogoza (Rayon), Arafat Serugendo (Mukura), Jean Bosco Uwacu (APR), Eric Gasana (APR), Elias Ntaganda (APR), Sadou Boubakary (APR), Jean Mugiraneza (APR), Haruna Niyonzima (APR), Hegman Ngoma (APR), Jean Claude Iranzi (Kiyovu), Albert Nyumbayire (Rayon), Akiri Mabula (Kiyovu) and Mulenda Abedi (Atraco).

Ends