Junior Wasps team to be named today

JUNIOR Wasps Coach Richard Tardy has conceded that Rwanda have a big mountain to climb after being drawn against West African heavyweights Burkina Faso and Senegal in Group A of the 2011 Caf U-17 Championship which will run from January 8-22 in Kigali and Rubavu.

He said, "I have not watched them play but they have a very good record in the competition especially Burkina Faso who have won the competition five times.”

"Of course we all know how good Egypt is and there is no other way about it other than playing our best football in all the three group games,” the French man stressed.
"These teams have an edge over us because they have good experience at the top level. I’m trying to get more information about them and see how well to approach them.”

"But what I can say is that we have come a long way since the Cecafa U-20 championship and the boys have matured,” Tardy continued.

The junior wasps wrapped up their build up with a 1-0 win over Primus National Football League side AS Kigali and Tardy is now expected to name his final squad today.
Rwanda will open their campaign next Saturday (January 8) against Burkina Faso at Amahoro stadium before playing Egypt (January 11) and Senegal (January 14) respectively.

With the top two in each group guaranteed a spot at next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, Tardy is desperate to rewrite history by becoming the first coach to guide a Rwandan side to the World Cup.

Group B pits defending champions Gambia against Mali’s Eaglets, Congo Brazzaville and Ivory Coast.

Caf U-17 Championship

Group A- Rwanda, Egypt, Senegal, Burkina Faso

Group B- Gambia, Ivory Coast, Congo Brazzaville, Mali

Ends