Former U-17 star striker Farouk Ruhinda has been included in the 20-man APR team that will represent Rwanda at the upcoming CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from July 18-August 2.

The 21-year-old, who has been training with the army side as they prepare for the upcoming regional tournament, expressed his joy at the prospect of playing competitive football once again.

"I am really happy that I have been given the opportunity to return to the team. We shall work together as a team and make sure that we achieve our objective which is to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup,” said the excited Ruhinda.

The Ugandan-born forward is renowned for his role in inspiring Rwanda to the final of the 2011 Africa U-17 Championship that was hosted in Rwanda. The Junior Wasps qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

On return, Ruhinda signed for APR but suffered a long-term injury in a high profile game against Rayon Sports in a tournament organized to celebrate RPF’s 25th anniversary. The injury took him out for the rest of the season.

Last year, he underwent surgery in Algeria at a recovery facility through a partnership with the Algerian Football Federation and a few months into recovery, the injury got worse, taking him out for yet the whole season.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour midfielder Hegman Ngomirakiza has been dropped from the side that travelled last evening to the Tanzanian capital along with goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera.

APR team to CECAFA:

Jean Claude Ndoli, Yves Kimenyi, Michel Ndahinduka, Albert Ngabonziza, Eric Rutanga, Ismael Nshutiyamagara, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Herve Rugwiro, Yannick Mukunzi, Andrew Buteera, Fiston Nkinzingabo, Maxime Sekamana, Jean Claude Iranzi, Patrick Sibomana, Djihad Bizimana, Michel Ndahinduka, Bernabe Mubumbyi, Isa Bigirimana, Eric Sibomana, Farouk Ruhinda.

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