We are determined to make history, says Amavubi captain

Every player in the Amavubi Stars provisional CHAN squad is determined to make history in the 2016 Africa Nations Championship finals tournament which will be staged in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7. The team captain Jacques Tuyisenge has said.

Thursday, December 31, 2015
Rwanda CHAN team captain Jacques Tuyisenge (L), says Amavubi players are determined to do well in front of their home fans. (File)

Every player in the Amavubi Stars provisional CHAN squad is determined to make history in the 2016 Africa Nations Championship finals tournament which will be staged in Rwanda from January 16 to February 7.  The team captain Jacques Tuyisenge has said.

Tuyisenge, who is also the skipper of national league side, Police FC, made the remarks after the second day of training at Umuganda training facility in Rubavu District on Tuesday.

"We are aware of how tough CHAN tournament is as a competition but we will be playing at home so we have to be ready to do well,” the 25-year-old forward said.

He added that, "Everyone in camp wants to be part of the final squad which will play CHAN. It is something good for the team because each one of us is giving 100 percent. Everyone is hungry and determined to show the coach that they deserve to be in the squad.”

Amavubi head coach Johnny McKinstry, with the help of the assistant coach Jimmy Mulisa, took the 32-man squad in a fitness test which lasted for two hours.

After the first training session, McKinstry, noted that all the players look to be in good shape after a week of rest over Christmas.

"We have reminded the players that the opportunity to play CHAN in their home country is something they will never have the chance to do again and so they must put everything they have into their performances.

"We look forward to the coming weeks as we complete our preparations and we are confident that the players will be ready for the tournament,” explained the 30-year old Northern Irishman.

Amavubi will play two warm-up matches against Cameroon on January 6 and DR Congo four days later, all to be staged at Umuganda stadium.

Rwanda is in Group A with Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon; Group B has DR Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia and Angola; Group C is composed of Tunisia, Niger, Guinea and Nigeria whilst Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and Mali make up Group D.

The matches will be played at four venues namely; Amahoro Stadium, Kigali Regional Stadium, Huye Stadium and Umuganda Stadium.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw