KAMPALA - Vice President of the Federation of Rwanda Football Association (Ferwafa), Vadaste Kayiranga has said Rwanda players stand to bag big rewards if the team performs well at the on-going 34th edition of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Kayiranga told Times Sport during an exclusive interview at Hotel Equatorial yesterday that the technical team and the players know what is at stake if they perform well.

"Winning this trophy will mean so much to us because our team is a young team that we are building for the future,” said Kayiranga.

Asked about the rewards at stake if the team performed well, the Ferwafa official refused to disclose, but hinted that they could pocket more than the US$30,000 that is at stake for the winning team.

Kayiranga said they are not looking at the prize money at stake, but using the tournament to build a young team for the future.

Rwanda won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup trophy once in 1999 when the event was held in Kigali. Last year the Amavubi Stars finished second after losing to eventual winners Sudan in penalty shootouts after a 2-all draw.

In the 2006 Rwanda came third after beating Uganda in the play-off, while the team also lost to Ethiopia in the finals of the 2005 edition at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali.

Kayiranga who admitted that Rwanda’s game against Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars today will be a tall order said they have taken the right direction to put a lot of emphasis on young players.

"Look at the second goalkeeper of the Amabuvi team Patrick Rutayisire, he is a youngster who is gaining more experience and exposure by playing in such tournaments like the Senior Challenge Cup,” explained the Ferwafa official.

He said although Rwanda still needs to make–use of their professional players in order to build a firm foundation for the future, he was quick to mention that time will come when the young groomed players take over the stage.

"We are optimistic this building process with the young players will yield fruits,” added Kayiranga.

Rwanda’s youngsters are also expected to benefit a lot of exposure when they rub shoulders with top sides in the CAF U-20 tournament that will take place in Kigali from January 18 to February 1.

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