RWANDA’s U-20 Coach Obradovic Tomislav has named an 18-man strong squad for 16th African Youth Championship which is scheduled to get underway this Sunday, January 18 at Amahoro national stadium.

Among the big names on the Croat’s squad are Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Elias Uzamukunda and Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, who also feature for the senior Amavubi Stars.

The quartet also featured in the national U-23 side for the Beijing Olympic Games qualifiers that fell on Morocco at the second round stage.

Tomislav has also included the U-17 trio of Jean Claude Iranzi, Ernest Kwizera and Heriman Ngoma to his squad as he seeks to conquer the continent at the first time of asking at home soil.

The 18-man squad, which will be residing at Stipp hotels along with South Africa for the duration of the championship, will continue with its light training sessions this week at Amahoro stadium.

After the team’s three-week training camp in North Africa (Tunisia and Egypt), some players failed to make the Croat’s grade and they include; Ghad Mwizerwa (Kiyovu), Djabir Irankunda (Atraco), JMV Rukundo (APR), Djamar Mwiseneza (Rayon) and Abdoul Karim Gashugi (Mukura), Eric Serugaba (APR) and Emmanuel Sebanani (APR) and Amagaju custodian Claude Nshimiyimana.

Rwanda faces Mali, Cameroon and Ghana in Group A while Group B is made up of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Egypt.

As hosts, Rwanda will open the competition against Mali at Amahoro stadium on Sunday before another cracker sees Ghana taking on arch rivals Cameroon.

Rwanda needs to reach the semi-finals to be assured of a place at the World Youth Championships finals to be hosted by Egypt.

RWANDA AYC TEAM

Goal Keepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Atraco), Aboubakar Nshimiyimana (Mukura) and Emery Mvuyekure (Electrogaz)

Defenders: Annual Kibaya (AS Kigali), Aimable Rucogoza (Rayon), Arafat Serugendo (APR), Bonfils Christian Twahirwa (AS Kigali), Jean Bosco Ngaboyisibo (Rayon), Eric Habimana (AS Kigali).

Midfielders: Yussuf Ndayishimiye (Rayon), Haruna Niyonzima (APR), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Jean Baptista Mugiraneza (APR) and Michel Hitimana (Jeunesse).

Strikers: Elias Uzamukunda (APR), Ernest Kwizera (APR), Heriman Ngomirakiza (APR) and Robert Muvunyi (Jeunesse).

Ends