Rwanda national football team head coach Stephen Constantine has named a 25-man provisional squad ahead of the friendly match against Burundi on December 20 at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

According to Constantine, the encounter is part of preparations for the first round qualification game of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, against Somalia, in March next year with the winner taking on Uganda. The victor in the second round will then face Egypt.

The triumphant side after three qualification rounds will subsequently qualify for the 2015 All Africa Games, scheduled for September 4-19 in the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) with the top three earning berths in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

Olympic qualifiers are limited to players below the age of 23 but three a bit older players can be included in the squad and that explains the inclusion of veterans Ismael ‘Kodo’ Nshutiyamagara and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza.

Last month, Rwanda held Morocco to a goalless draw in Marrakesh in an international friendly, their first game in three months since being disqualified from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Amavubi are also expected to face Tanzania next month in further preparations for the Olympic qualifiers. The squad is scheduled to enter residential training camp on today at La Pallise hotel, Nyandungu.

Amavubi provisional list

Goalkeepers: Marcel Nzarora (Police), Steven Ntalibi (Police), Olivier Kwizera (APR)

Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Eric Rutanga (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Ismael Nshutiyamagara (APR), Fitina Ombelenga (Kiyovu), Alype Majyambere (Rayon), Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali), Janvier Mutijima (AS Kigali)

Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Rashid Kalisa (Police), Robert Ndatimana (Rayon), Kevin Muhire (Isonga), Patrick Sibomana (APR), Savio Nshuti Dominique (Isonga), Alphonse Zagabe (Mukura), Jean Marie Muvandimwe (Gicumbi), Justin Mico (AS Kigali)

Strikers: Bertrand Iradukunda (APR), Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Danny Usengimana (Isonga), Innocent Ndizeye (Amagaju), Bienvenue Mugenzi (Marines).