Saturday

Rwanda vs Gabon 3:30pm Rwanda national football team coach Johnny McKinstry is keen on incorporating new faces into the Amavubi side that is preparing for the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be hosted in Rwanda from January 16-February 7 next year.

The Northern Irishman plans to use tomorrow’s international friendly against Gabon at Amahoro National Stadium to give a chance to several players to prove their worth as well as try out new combinations.

The Amavubi CHAN team has a different look to it in the absence of foreign-based players notably captain Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam), Salomon Nirisarike (Saint Truiden), Emery Bayisenge (Lask Linz), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia) and Quentin Rushenguziminega (Lausanne Sport).

"Our style of play will actually be quite different. To be honest, we have other good players who can go into those positions but they are not replacements. We do not have anyone like Haruna in terms of his vivaciousness around the pitch but we have very good players who can play in that advanced midfield role.”

Andrew Buteera is one such player who can play as a creative playmaker and McKinstry is also looking at fielding Patrick Sibomana on the left wing as well as give a chance to Innocent Habyarimana who he described as a ‘more direct’ player as compared to Sibomana and Jean Claude Iranzi who has been rested for tomorrow’s game.

Faustin Usengimana is expected to partner with Amani Uwiringiyimana in central defense in a new look pairing with the latter taking up responsibility in the absence of veteran Ismael Nshutiyamagara who did not report to residential camp on Monday with no reason.

Gabriel Mugabo and Soter Kayumba are the other available options that will also be given a chance to showcase their worth in a bid to secure regular time in the coming months as the team prepares for Africa’s second biggest nations’ tournament created specifically for players that feature in their domestic leagues.

The youthful striking quartet of Ernest Sugira, Michel Ndahinduka, Isaie Songa and Danny Usengimana will be hoping to make their presence felt as well.

Sugira, who guaranteed maximum points against Mozambique with a lone strike in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Maputo in June also netted in a 3-1 win over Ethiopia a fortnight ago, has quickly become a favourite to lead the line.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw