Rayon Sports midfielder Djabel Manishimwe is thrilled following his call-up to the national team provisional 24-player squad for the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) first leg play-off qualifier against Ethiopia scheduled for Sunday in Addis Ababa.

Amavubi entered residential training camp on Sunday at Hotel La Pallise in Nyandungu and begun training on Monday at Amahoro National Stadium. The team will travel to Ethiopia on November 3, two days before the game.

"I am delighted to have been named in the Amavubi squad. It is a real honor and I’m looking forward to the experience and working hard to be in final team. But I am also realistic and want to take things one step at a time,” the 20-year-old said in an interview with Times Sport on Tuesday.

Former Rwanda U17 and U20 player, Manishimwe was named for the first time in Amavubi provisional squad in July for the 2018 CHAN qualifiers first round tie against Tanzania but did not make the final team.

Rwanda will face Ethiopia in a play-off to decide, who replaces Egypt in the 2018 African Nations Championship which is set to take place next January in Morocco. The finals tournament draws will be done in Morocco on November 17.

Manishimwe added, "This is another milestone in my career but I know I need to work more to make the final team. It’s a welcome surprise. It is always an honor to play for my country at any level, but it is a special moment to be called up to the first-team squad.”

"It’s important that I keep on improving all aspects of my game to be able to reach my full potential, this call-up will certainly be a great learning experience for me. I just want to make the most of every opportunity I am given to better my game,” noted the former Isonga FC midfielder.

Manishimwe has not scored for Rayon Sports but has set up three assists in the six goals the league champions have scored this season, while last season he provided eleven assists.

Rayon Sports dominate the 24-team league with eight players including, APR FC have seven players, Police FC with five while AS Kigali with three and SC Kiyovu have one player.

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