Friendlies

Wednesday, January 6

Rwanda vs Cameroon

Sunday, January 10

Rwanda vs DR Congo

The national football team, Amavubi Stars, left for Rubavu yesterday morning for the final phase of preparations ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) that kicks off on January 16.

While in residential camp, the team will be training twice a day at Umuganda stadium and held their first session yesterday afternoon. The team is staying at Stipp Hotel.

The 32-man provisional squad had a two-week non-residential camp after the recent Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. The team was then given a 10-day break by coach Mckinstry during the Christmas holiday.

"We have lately had quite a tight schedule, from CECAFA and World Cup qualifiers, everyone needed a short break, to breathe a bit and refresh especially the players,” McKinstry told Times Sport.

As part of the CHAN preparations, Amavubi will play two build-up matches, against Cameroon on January 6, and then DR Congo on January 10, at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu.

Cameroon, who are in Group C alongside DR Congo, Ethiopia and Angola, will be making their second appearance after the 2011 edition where they reached the quarterfinal round while 2009 champions DR Congo will be making their fourth successive appearance at the tournament since its inaugural edition in 2009.

The 4th edition of the biennial continental showpiece, the second biggest football event on the African continent will be staged at four venues across the country; Kigali, Rubavu and Huye.

Amahoro national stadium will host Group A matches involving hosts Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Gabon, while Kigali regional stadium will be used by Group C, composed of Nigeria, Niger, Tunisia and Guinea. Group B teams, including Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia and Angola, will tussle it out at Huye stadium, while Group D, made up of Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mali ,will be hosted at Umuganda stadium.

Organided by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CHAN is reserved for players who play in their domestic leagues.

The previous three editions were hosted by Ivory Coast (2009), Sudan (2011) and South Africa, who hosted the 2014 tournament that was won by Libya.

Amavubi squad in camp

Goalkeepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Rayon), Olivier Kwizera (APR), Jean Claude Ndori (APR) and Marcel Nzarora (Police)

Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (Kiyovu), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura), Ivan Senyange (Gicumbi), Mwemere Girinshuti (Police), Faustin Usengimana (APR), Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Fiston Munezero (Rayon) and Alexis Ngirimana (Kiyovu).

Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Mohammed Mushimiyimana (Police), Rachid Kalisa (Police), Hegman Ngomirakiza (Police), Amran Nshmiyimana (Police), Muhadjir Hakizimana (Mukura) and Kevin Muhire (Rayon).

Forwards: Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon), Innocent Habyarimana (Police), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Jean Paul Havugarurema (Kiyovu), Djuma Nizeyimana (Kiyovu), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Yussufu Habimana (Mukura), Isaie Songa (Police), Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali) and Dany Usengimana (Police).