RWANDA’S U-17 national team head coach Michael Weiss is optimistic his youthful side can stage a strong challenge at next month’s Cecafa Youth Championship in Khartoum, Sudan.

The former German international who traveled with the team to Germany for an intensive two-week training camp has been impressed with the progress of the players.

"The team is making drastic improvements with each passing day. With players like Emmanuel Sebanani, Abdulkarim Gashugi, and Yusuf Habimana, we have a lot of options upfront,” his email to Times Sport read in part. 

The junior wasp suffered a 3-0 mauling in their first build-up game against Rangers’ U-19 side but Weiss expects them to bounce back when they clash with Koblenz FC in the next few days.

"We lost against U-19 Queens Park Rangers but we should have a much better game against Koblenz FC’s U-19 side,” Weiss added.

The team is camping at Enden Koben football academy in Rhenanie Palatinat Province.

After their Germany stint, the team will return on Kigali before heading to Sudan on August 2.

Rwanda need to assemble a strong team after learning that the event will attract the likes of Nigeria. The two-time U-17 world champions were invited to spice up the event that will attract over ten countries.

The Unity Government of Sudan has splashed US $400,000 (Rwf 22.6m) in the championship.

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