As Amavubi Stars resume Ivory Coast Preps

2012 Nations Cup qualifiers

September 4

Ivory Coast vs Rwanda
Benin vs Burundi

JEAN Claude Ndoli has been left out of Rwanda’s provisional 25-man squad for the opening fixture of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast on September 4 in Yamoussoukro.

Going by his vast experience, the goalkeeper should be in the team but lack of playing time at APR has cost him his place. Ndoli has practically failed to dislodge the much more agile Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, commonly known as Bakame, who has now made the army side’s number one jersey his own since his move from Atraco.

Ndoli joined APR in 2006 from Police. He then made his APR debut against SC Kiyovu.

He was also Amavubi’s first choice goalkeeper between 2006 and 2009 but fell down the pecking order following Bakame’s impressive form.

On top of Bakame, Amavubi’s technical bench led by Amavubi head coach Sellas Tetteh has opted for Emery Mvuyekure, Evariste Mutuyimana and Patrick Rutayisire.

Rwanda will be playing Ivory Coast for the second time this year. The first time was in a friendly match held in Dar es Salaam on January 6 were the Elephants grinded out a 2-0 victory.

Bamba Souleymane and Angoua Brou scored the goals. Despite letting in the goals, Ndoli, who was in goal, produced a number of top class saves to claim the man of the match award against a star-studded Ivory Coast side which included Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Haruna Dindane and Kouassi Gervais among others.

Tetteh faces a massive task of guiding Rwanda to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations which will be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Rwanda, whose last CAN appearance came back in 2004, need to top the group (8) or at worst finish inside the best three qualifiers to qualify for Africa’s biggest football show piece.

The match will be handled by Seychelles’ center referee Maillet Eddy and assisted by Jason Damoo, Jean Joseph Ernesta and Eddy Andre Jacques. The match commissioner will be Emmanuel Zombre from Burkina Faso.

Amavubi’s provisional team:

Goal Keepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Emery Mvuyekure, Evariste Mutuyimana and Patrick Rutayisire.

Defenders: Albert Ngabo, Didier Kapet, Mao Kalisa, Abuba Sibomana, Ismail Nshutinamagara, Donatien Tuyizere, Aimable Rucogoza and Annuar Kibaya

Midfielders: Jean Baptist Mugiraneza, Jamal Mwiseneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Tumaine Ntamuhanga, Bienfait Kabanda and Albert Nyumbayire, Jean Pierre Hakiri, Jerome Sina and Jean Claude Iranzi

Strikers: Emmanuel Sebanani, Roger Tchouassi, Kipson Atuheire and Dady Birori.

Ends