2012 Nations Cup Qualifier

September 4

Ivory Coast  vs  Rwanda
Benin           vs  Burundi

AMAVUBI’s midfield and attacking problems have increased further with news that APR’s Jean Baptist Mugiraneza a.k.a Migi is set to miss Rwanda’s opening 2012 Africa Nations Cup Group H qualifier against Ivory Coast.

Migi traveled to Germany yesterday for a two-week professional trial stint at Bundesliga side FC Koln, meaning he will be absent for the September 4 qualifier which will be played in Yamoussoukro.

Over the years, the APR midfielder has developed into a top class player and it is no surprise that the timing has left Amavubi head coach Sellas Tetteh a very unhappy man.

"Mugiraneza talked to me about his intentions to go for trials in Germany but he did not specify when he would be leaving. Professionally, he should have done that,” the Ghanaian tactician said, before adding, "he did not report to camp on Sunday night and even missed the Monday morning session.”

In Migi’s absence, Tetteh has to rejig his plans. It is believed that he will now rely on the untested Tumaine Ntamuhanga, Bienfait Kabanda, Albert Nyumbayire and Jean Pierre Hakiri to man Amavubi’s fragile midfield.

Tetteh has also revealed that he will only summon two professional players for the group H qualifier. While hesitating to give names, the Ghanaian hinted that he would consider only those who have been playing competitively and regularly.

"The perimeter is simple-I’m looking at players who have been playing regularly. The pair will be made public sometime this week,” he added.

Some of Rwanda’s foreign based players include Olivier Karekezi (Osters), Hamad Ndikumana (AEL Limassol), Lens midfielder Monnet-Paquet Kevin, Bobo Bola (Atlantis FC), Edwin Ouon (AEL Limassol), Boubakary Sadou (Ahly Tripoli), Patrick Mafisango (Azam), Aloua Gaseruka (El Merreikh), Saidi Makasi (Difaa El Jadida), Henri Munyaneza (Germinal Bierschot), Lukman Imoro (AEP Paphos) and Louis Aniweta (Nea Salamina Famagusta).

In a related development, Ivory Coast recently confirmed Francois Zahoui as their new coach. Zahoui replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson who took charge of the Elephants at the just ended 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Zahoui, 49, who signed a two-year deal, got his tenure off to a positive start after a 1-0 victory in a friendly over Italy.

Ends