We can do better against Zambia, says Mashami

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Peter Kamasa

Amavubi U20 head coach Vincent Mashami gives instructions to his players during their second-leg match against Kenya at Kigali Stadium last month. The match ended 0-0 and Rwanda progressed courtesy of an away goal scored during a 1-1 draw in Nairobi a fortight earlier. Sam Ngendahimana.

The U-20 Amavubi coach Vincent Mashami says his players need to improve ahead of the first leg of the 2019 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against defending champions, Zambia on May 11 at Kigali Stadium.

Junior Wasps reported to camp on Sunday night ahead of their first leg against Zambia while the return leg will be staged in Lusaka on May 18.

Mashami summoned only 23 players for the match which will see the winner secure a place in the third and final qualification round due July this year.

"We are going to prepare well as we want to get a good result that will give us an edge in the return leg. We need to improve on our performance against Kenya,” Mashami said

The Junior Wasps, who are camping at Hill Top Hotel in Remera, yesterday, began intensive training and will use Kigali Stadium and Kicukiro Stadium as training grounds.

"It is a big game, we have to be ready and we can do better. We know Zambia are a good team and defending champions but we should be up to the task,” he added.

Belgian based Dylan Maes (Waasland Beveren U-18) and Samuel Gueulette (KAA Gent U-19) are expected to join the team next week.

Rwanda reached the second round at the expense of Kenya (1-1) on aggregate to qualify on the away-goal rule.

The overall winner in the third round will earn an automatic spot in next year’s Africa U-20 tourney which will be held in Niger, next year.

Junior Wasps 23-man Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gael Cyuzuzo (Unity), Fiacre Ntwari (Intare) and Edouard Iratugenera (Mukura)

Defenders: Aime Placide Uwineza (SC Kiyovu), Shaffi Songayingabo (APR), Prince Buregeya (APR), Thierry Ndayishimiye (Marines), Christian Ishimwe (Marines), Marc Govin Nshimiyimana (Intare), Felicien Hakizimana (Intare), Marc Nkubana (Unity) and Dylan Maes (Waasland Beveren U-18).

Midfielders: Saleh Nyilinkindi (APR), Gilbert Nshimyumuremyi (Intare), Janvier Bonane (SC Kiyovu), Saleh Ishimwe (Unity), Jacob Byukusenge (Intare) and Samuel Gueulette (KAA Gent U-19).

Strikers: Protais Sindambiwe (INtare), Bogarde Cyitegetse (Bugesera), Lague Byiringiro (APR), Aloysious Tumusiime (Intare) and Patrick Mugisha (Marines).

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