September 9

Rwanda  Vs  Ivory Coast

VINCENT Mashami, the newly appointed head coach of Rwanda national football team, has named a 32-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Ivory Coast in Kigali on September 9.

As part of the preparations, Amavubi will join camp today before starting rigorous training on Wednesday, with two intensive sessions per day.

They will have fitness training including a speed test and an endurance test where Mashami and his staff will assess the physical condition of each player so that they can find the areas that each one them can improve.

Following his appointment as the new Amavubi coach last week, Mashami’s main task is to lead Rwanda to the 2019 AFCON finals tournament, which will be held in Cameroon.

Speaking to the media after releasing the provisional squad on Monday afternoon, Mashami said the match against Ivory Coast is a must-win for his side if they’re to keep AFCON 2019 qualification dream alive.

"We need to get a positive result and light up the path to AFCON 2019. The game is a must-win; dropping points in any way will cost us big. The coaching staff and players are ready for whatever it takes to get result we all want,” Mashami said.

He further revealed that, "Many of the outstanding performers from the league and other competitions have retained their places; we have added just a few players, who have showed exceptional talent and consistency this year, and a number of foreign-based players.”

The new faces in the team include; goalkeepers Fiacre Ntwali, from APR, and Mukura’s Omar Rwabugiri, Police skipper Eric Ngendahimana and his teammate Jean Paul Uwimbabazi, Kiyovu SC forward Djuma Nizeyimana and the Mukura duo of Saidi Iragire and Hussein Cyiza,

Returning to the national team after a long lay-off due to illegal duo nationality are Jimmy Kibengo Mashingirwa, a.k.a Jimmy Mbaraga, and Tanzania-based Meddie Kagere.

Abdoul Rwatubyaye and Andrew Buteera have also been named on the team.

Rwanda started the group campaign on a low note, losing 2-1 to the Republic of Central Africa in Bangui in the two sides’ first-leg in June last year.

Amavubi have been drawn in Group H alongside Ivory Coast, the Republic of Central Africa, and Guinea Conakry.

Full 32-player provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Olivier Kwizera (Free State Stars), Fiacre Ntwali (APR), Yves Kimenyi (APR) and Omar Rwabugiri (Mukura).

Defenders: Solomon Nirisarike (AFC Tubize), Saidi Iragire (Mukura), Faustin Usengimana (Khitan Sports, Kuwait), Abdoul Rwatubyaye (Rayon Sports), Herve Rugwiro (APR), Thierry Manzi (Rayon Sports), Michel Rusheshangoga (Free agent), Fitina Omborenga (APR), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (APR) and Eric Rutanga (Rayon Sports).

Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (Rayon Sports), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR, Ally Niyonzima (AS Kigali), Djihad Bizimana (Belgium, Beveren), Haruna Niyonzima (Simba SC), Andrew Buteera (APR), Hussein Cyiza (Mukura), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports), Patrick Sibomana (FC Shakhtyor, Belarus), Eric Ngendahimana (Police Fc) and Djuma Nizeyimana (SC Kiyovu).

Forwards: Meddie Kagere (Simba SC, Tanzania), Jacques Tuyisenge (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Danny Usengimana (Tersana FC, Egypt), Muhadjir Hakizimana (APR), Jimmy Kibengo Mashingirwa Mbaraga (AS Kigali) and Jean Paul Uwimbabazi (Police).

Technical Staff

Vincent Mashami (head coach), Jimmy Mulisa (first assist coach), Innocent Seninga (second assist coach), Jean Paul Niyintunze (physical trainer), Patrick Rutamu and Assumani Nubu (Physiotherapists), Jacques ‘Rujigiro’ Munyaneza and Pierre Baziki (kit managers) and team manager Michel Jackson Rutayisire.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw