Amavubi fixtures

Dec 9: Rwanda v Eritrea

Dec 11: Rwanda v Uganda

Dec 14: Rwanda v Djibouti

Josip Kuze wants to use the forthcoming GTV Cecafa tournament as part of his team’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup/Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Amavubi Stars head coach told Times Sport on Tuesday that the Senior Challenge Cup would go along way in fine-tuning his team before they embark on the long journey to both South Africa and Angola.

"We are ready for Cecafa and this tournament will help our preparations and enable Rwanda to hit the ground running in qualifying for both Nations’ Cup as well as the World Cup.
"I am looking out at the two-week Cecafa tournament as a training camp for my youngsters.

But I ‘m also confident we will be aiming to win and bring back home the incentive which is at stake,” Kuze said, adding that he wants to embark on a long-term program.

The Croat said that his team enters the tournament with the aim of winning it, something that would come with $30,000 at stake for the champion.

The organizers have drawn the 11 teams into three groups. The two groups will play in Dar es Salaam, while Group C will play in Arusha.

Countries that are participating in this year’s event include; Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Zanzibar, Djibouti, Eritrea, Uganda, Sudan and the hosts Tanzania.
Rwanda will play its opener on Sunday against Eritrea before facing bitter rivals and title contenders Uganda on December 14.

Under former coach, Michael Nees, the Amavubi Stars finished third after beating Uganda Cranes on penalties last year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The team left for Tanzania yesterday led by Ferwafa president Brig. Gen. John Bosco Kazura and the Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa.

The duo will also take part in the election of the Cecafa president slated for tomorrow.

Tanzania Football Federation president Leodegar Tenga, Kamal Sadad of Sudan and Ethiopia football chief Ashebir Georgis are the three candidates are vying for the presidency to replace Uganda’s Denis Obua.

Ends