Pools:

Group A: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and SomaliaGroup B: Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and ZanzibarGroup C: Sudan, Malawi, South Sudan and Djibouti

Rwanda national football team departed for Ethiopia last night aboard Ethiopian Airways ahead of the 38th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup slated for November 21- December 5 in Addis Ababa.

The two-week regional tournament will be held in two Ethiopian cities of Awassa and Bahir Dar. Johnny McKinstry’s Amavubi Stars begin their campaign in Group A against hosts Ethiopia on Saturday, while Burundi face Zanzibar in Group B on the same day.

After the disappointing two defeats in a space of just five days at hands of Libya, Amavubi had a couple of training sessions at Kigali Regional Stadium on Wednesday and Amahoro national stadium on Thursday before flying out to Ethiopia last night.

McKinstry has made three changes in the squad that lost 2-1 to Libya Tuesday; three new players have been called up after departures of a trio of professionals namely; center-back Salomon Nirisarike, full-back Abouba Sibomana and striker Quintin Rushenguziminega.

The three new faces, all making their debut in the national team include; Rayon Sports defender Fiston Munezero, Gicumbi FC left-back Ivan Senyange and Mukura Victory Sports forward Yussufu Habimana.

Rwanda is in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Tanzania and Somalia. After the opening game on Saturday, Amavubi’s next match will be against Tanzania on November 24 against Tanzania and wind up their group stage campaign three days later against Somalia.

Amavubi 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Olivier Kwizera (APR), Jean Claude Ndoli (APR)

Defenders: Omborenga Fitina (SC Kiyovu), Ivan Senyange (Gicumbi), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura), Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Fiston Munezero (Rayon Sports), Fasutin Usengimana (APR)

Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam, Tanzania), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Haruna Niyonzima (Young Africans, Tanzania), Hegman Ngomirakiza (Police FC), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Kevin Muhire (Rayon), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Savio Dominique Nshuti (Rayon Sports)

Forwards: Isaie Songa (Police FC), Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Yussufu Habimana(Mukura).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw