Feb. 24

Cameroon Vs Rwanda

Feb. 28

Rwanda Vs Congo-Brazzaville

APR midfielder Christophe Bukuru has received his maiden call-up to the senior national football team for two international friendly matches this month.

The national team, Amavubi, will be in action for the first time this year in a couple of build-up matches ahead of the 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals tournament.

Vincent Mashami’s side start residential camp on Monday before flying to Cameroon where they will face the Indomitable Lions on February 24 in Yaoundé before hosting Congo-Brazzaville on February 28 in Kigali.

In-form Bukuru, who joined APR from rivals Rayon Sports at the beginning of the 2019/2020 season, is one of the army side’s nine players who were named by Mashami on the 28-man provisional squad on Friday.

Rayon are the second most represented side in the team with eight players, while Police have six players in the selection.

Rwanda booked her ticket to the CHAN 2020 finals after edging out Ethiopia 2-1 aggregate last October, thanks to two goals from striker Ernest Sugira in either leg of the double-header tie.

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Yves Kimenyi (Rayon), Eric Ndayishimiye (AS Kigali) Gahungu Habarurema (Police) and Olivier Kwizera (Gasogi).

Defenders: Thierry Manzi (APR), Ange Mutsinzi (APR), Herve Rugwiro (Rayon), Aimable Nsabimana (Police), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (APR) Fitina Ombalenga (APR), Eric Iradukunda (Rayon) and Eric Rutanga (Rayon).

Midfielders: Olivier Niyonzima (APR), Amran Nshimiyimana (Rayon), Eric Ngendahimana (Police), Christophe Bukuru (APR), Martin Twizerimana (Kiyovu), Eric Nsabimana (AS Kigali), Djabel Manishimwe (APR), Ally Niyonzima (Rayon) and Dominique Savio Nshuti (Police).

Forwards: Lague Byiringiro (APR), Ernest Sugira (Rayon), Danny Usengimana (APR), Bertrand Iradukunda (Mukura), Yannick Bizimana (Rayon), Osée Iyabivuze (Police) and Justin Mico (Police).