AMAVUBI Stars captain Hamad Ndikumana aka Katauti has lifted the lid on why he was dropped for Saturday’s decisive Africa Nations Cup (CAN) qualifier against Zambia.

The central defender and arguably Rwanda’s most capped player disclosed to Times Sport that he was dropped for the Zambia qualifier because the Ministry of Sports and Culture (Minispoc) was not ready to meet his demands.

Katauti, who plies his trade with Cyprus’ AEL Limassol, revealed that he was left out because he had demanded 15,000 Euros (Rwf12.7m) to have an operation after the qualifier.

Katauti sustained a groin injury during Rwanda’s 1-3 loss to Algeria in October and had been playing with the injury since.

"I sustained the injury on national duty and there was no way my club (AEL Limassol) would cater for my medical expenses because technically, it is not their responsibility,” the 31-year-old reasoned.

"In Cyprus, I have been receiving two injections a week to help calm the pain so I thought it was only reasonable for the country to cater for my operation expenses.”

"Before the Zambia game, I had an injection and felt good to play but surprisingly, I didn’t even make the substitution bench,” he wondered.

"I don’t know if there was a break down in communication but my request was in good faith. I have not received any response from the people concerned,” a bothered Katauti said.

However, Minispoc’s Permanent Secretary Jean Pierre Karabaranga has refuted the skipper’s claims.

"We have always treated players who get injured while playing for Amavubi. We have asked him to go for a medical check up and get back to us with a feedback from the doctor,” Karabaranga said.

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