Amavubi start rigorous CHAN preps in Tunisia

Rwanda national football team (Amavubi) started intensive preparations in Sousse, Tunisia on Wednesday ahead of the forthcoming 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals tournament, which is set to run from January 13 to February 4 in Morocco.

Thursday, January 04, 2018

Peter Kamasa

Amavubi assistant coach Mashami taking the players through their paces in Tunisia on Wednesday as head coach Hey looks on in the background. Courtesy

SaturdayRwanda vs Sudan 3pm (Sousse)

SundayRwanda vs Namibia 3pm (Jamal)

WednesdayRwanda vs Algeria

CHAN Group Pairings:Group A, (Casablanca): Morocco, Guinea, Sudan, MauritaniaGroup B, (Marrakech): Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda, NamibiaGroup C, (Tangier): Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Equatorial GuineaGroup D, (Agadir): Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Burkina Faso

Rwanda national football team (Amavubi) started intensive preparations in Sousse, Tunisia on Wednesday ahead of the forthcoming 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals tournament, which is set to run from January 13 to February 4 in Morocco.

Amavubi will spend about ten days in Tunisia where they will play three warm-up matches against fellow CHAN finalists Sudan on Saturday in Sousse and Namibia on Sunday in Jamal before meeting Algeria next Wednesday.

Rwanda is pooled in Group C alongside Libya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea will play all her matches in Tanger.

On Monday, Amavubi will have two training sessions and one session on Tuesday at El Mouradi training facility before moving to Tunis on Wednesday for the match against Algeria. After Amavubi will depart for Tanger via Casablanca for the finals competition.

Goalkeeping coach, Thomas Higiro with Eric Ndayishimiye, Marcel Nzarora and Yves Kimenyi.

Head coach Antoine Hey said that all players are in good shape and are committed to have a successful training camp in Tunisia, which will fully put the team in good shape.

Amavubi will spend about ten days in Tunisia where they will play three warm-up matches against fellow CHAN finalists Sudan on Saturday in Sousse. Courtesy

"The flight was very tiring, so we couldn’t train on Tuesday. We just reached the hotel, tried to get used to the environment and held a short meeting. We hope that we don’t get injuries or setbacks as we work on our final pieces of getting the team ready for CHAN tournament,” Hey noted.

Head coach Antoine Hey said that all players are in good shape and committed to have a successful training camp in Tunisia. Courtesy

Rwanda’s 33-man delegation left Kigali on New Year and reached Tunisia Tuesday evening. The delegation is residing at El Mouradi Kantaoui Club in Sousse, Tunisia.

Hey’s team held a double two training session on Wednesday at El Mouradi training facility. Rwanda is pooled in Group C alongside Libya, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and will play all her matches in Tanger.

Amavubi midfielder Ally Niyonzima and forward Abeddy Biramahire during the training session on Wednesday. Courtesy

"We have no injuries; the atmosphere in camp is fine as usual, very disciplined and focused and professional. We have one week to fully prepare our side, all players will get playing time in all the friendlies we will play,” added the German tactician.

Hey’s team held a double two training session on Wednesday at El Mouradi training facility.

Amavubi squad:

Goalkeepers: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Marcel Nzarora (Police) and Yves Kimenyi (APR)

Defenders: Faustin Usengimana (Rayon Sports), Thierry Manzi (Rayon Sports), Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali), Eric Rutanga (Rayon Sports), Eric Iradukunda (AS Kigali), Fitina Omborenga (APR), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Police), Rugwiro Herve (APR) and Ally Mbogo (SC Kiyovu)

Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (Rayon Sports), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Amran Nshimiyimana (APR), Ally Niyonzima (AS Kigali), Djabel Imanishimwe (Rayon Sports), Muhadjir Hakizimana (APR), Dominique Savio Nshuti (AS Kigali).

Forwards: Innocent Nshuti (APR), Justin Mico (Police), Abeddy Biramahire (Police) and Bernabe Mubumbyi (Bugesera).

Officials:

Antoine Hey (Head coach), Vincent Mashami (Assistant coach), Thomas Higiro (Goalkeepers coach), Moussa Hakizimana (Physiotherapist), Patrick Rutamu (Physiotherapist), Protogene Nshimiyimana (Team Doctor), Emery Kamanzi (Team manager), Pierre Baziki (Kit manager) and Bonnie Mugabe (Media Officer).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw