Katauti to decide future after 2010 World/CAN finals

2010 WC/CAN Third round
Group One  (Cameroon, Morocco, Gabon, and Togo)
Group Two  (Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Mozambique)
Group Three (Egypt, Algeria, Zambia, Rwanda)
Group Four   (Ghana, Mali, Benin, Sudan)
Group Five    (Ivory Coast, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Malawi)

Former Amavubi Stars skipper Hamad Ndikumana a.k.a Katauti has his sight on helping Rwanda qualify for the 2010 World/Africa Cup finals due in South Africa and Angola respectively before he retires from international football.

The defender, who plays for Cypriot club Omonio made the declaration while reacting to a question put to him by Times Sport in regards to his future plans with Amavubi Stars.

In his response, the rock-hard defender said in an e-mail, "I want to first feature at the World Cup finals with Rwanda before deciding on my future.”

"I will plan for my future after guiding Rwanda to the World Cup finals and if we combine our efforts, we are going to make it.”

"I believe, apart from Egypt, all the countries in our (qualification) group are not better than Rwanda and if we maintain our discipline and determination, we will make it to the World Cup,” Ndikumana said.

The former Rayon Sports player has played in one major tournament with Amavubi Stars and that was CAN 2004 held in Tunisia and he wants to play at one more before retiring.

Rwanda has been drawn alongside Algeria, Egypt and Zambia in Group three of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which also serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Amavubi Stars will face a hard task trying to overcome an Algerian side brimming with confidence after knocking out both Senegal and Gambia.

Zambia is another side which has punched above their weight in qualifiers, beating Togo to top spot in their previous group.

However, on paper, neither Algeria, Zambia nor Rwanda possesses the wealth of talent enjoyed by Egypt, who will be counting on the close-knit nature of a squad dominated by Al Ahly players.

The reigning CAF Africa Cup of Nations champions have some of the continent’s best footballers among their ranks, including Amr Zaki and Mohamed Aboutrika, who were both nominated by CAF for their Player of the Year. It is upon Rwanda to finish inside the top three in Group C, having failed to qualify for the last two Nations Cup finals.

The Amavubi Stars open their campaign on March 28, 2009 at home against Algeria, travel to Zambia on June 6 before winding the first leg matches with a daunting away tie against Egypt on July 4 or 5.

Ends