Amavubi head coach Torsten Spittler has described new centre back Phanuel Kavita as a valuable addition to his team.
Kavita had his first training session with Amavubi on Monday, November 11, and his performance over the past few days has impressed the German coach who recently handed him a call up in his latest squad preparing for AFCON 2025 qualifying matches against Libya in Kigali on November 14 and Nigeria on November 18 in Uyo.
Spittler hinted that the Birmingham Legion defender has showed his qualities despite training with the team for a very short period.
"You can see he (Kavita) is a player who takes responsibilities in his team as a captain, he is physically fit as well,” Spittler said in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
"It is a good chance for us to see him. He is someone who can help us in the future or even in one of these matches. The problem is players from abroad don&039;t arrive early so we just had two training sessions with him."
Phanuel Kavita: Who is the new Amavubi defender?
Spittler hinted that Kavita could have minutes on the pitch when Rwanda welcome Libya to Amahoro Stadium on Thursday, November 14, especially considering that backup defender Clement Niyigena will miss the game through suspension.
"This time there was a chance because Clement (Niyigena) has two yellow cards and cannot play which means there was a space. After consulting my coaches, we decided to invite Kavita."
Spittler further praise Kavita’s attitude on the pitch, labeling him as a good character.
"From what I have seen, he has good character," he added
Kavita, who is the captain of US second tier side Birmingham Legion, was born to a Rwandan mother and a Congolese father. Featuring against Libya would see him have his first cap of his international football career at 31.
Player Profile
Name: Phanuel Kavita
Date of Birth: March 9, 1993
Place of Birth: Lubumbashi, DR Congo
Current Team: Birmingham Legion
Height: 1.85m
Position: Defender
Number: 3
Youth Career
Real Salt Lake AZ (2010-11)
College
Clemson Tigers (2011-14)
Senior career
2015-16: Real Salt Lake (3 appearances/ 0 goals)
2015-16: on loan Real Monarchs (38 appearances/ 1 goal)
2017: Puerto Rico FC (27 appearances/ 1 goal)
2018-2020: Saint Louis FC (79 appearances/ 3 goals)
2021-now: Birmingham Legion (124 appearances/ 1 goal)