Rwanda national football team head coach Johnny McKinstry has named a 26-player squad which started training on Monday for the upcoming international friendly match against Gabon on in Kigali.

The friendly match against Gabon, hosts of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals tournament, is part of Amavubi’s preparations ahead of Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which will be held in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7, 2016.

The majority of players summoned were part of the Amavubi team which lost to Ghana 1-0 in the second Group H AFCON 2017 qualifier played on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium.

Last year, Rwanda played two friendly matches against Gabon, home and away, and won both by 1-0.

Amavubi team will be without the six professionals namely; Quentin Rushenguziminega (Lausaane Sport, Swiss), Emery Bayisenge (Lask Linz, Austria), Salomon Nirisarike (Sint Truiden, Belgium), Niyonzima Haruna (Young Africans, Tanzania), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia, Kenya) and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam Fc, Tanzania), following their return to their clubs.

However, McKinstry has made some additions to the squad with seven players receiving call-ups to face Gabon. Meanwhile, APR left-winger Jean Claude Iranzi has been left out.

The new players summoned include goalkeeper Marcel Nzarora (Police), Amani Uwiringiyimana (unattached), Janvier Mutijima (AS Kigali), James Tubane (Rayon Sport), Mohammed Mushimiyimana (Police), Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports) and Innocent Habyarimana (Police).

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Olivier Kwizera (APR), Jean Claude Ndoli (APR), Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports) and Marcel Nzarora (Police)

Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (SC Kiyovu), Jean Marie Rukundo (Rayon Sports), Janvier Mutijima (AS Kigali), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura), Amani Uwiringiyimana (Unattached), Faustin Usengimana (APR), James Tubane (Rayon Sports) and Ismael Nshutiyamagara (APR).

Midfielders: Mohamed Mushimiyimana (Police), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Amran Nshimiyimana (Police), Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports), Andrew Butera (APR), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Innocent Habyarimana (Police), Patrick Sibomana (APR).

Forwards: Isaie songa (Police), Ernest Suriga (AS Kigali), Dany Usengimana (Police) and Michel Ndahinduka (APR).