Jan. 8

Rwanda vs Burkina Faso

Jan. 11

Rwanda vs Egypt
Jan. 14
Rwanda vs Senegal

KIGALI

Rwanda’s U-17 national team is ready for the opening game against Burkina Faso in the 2011 Africa Youth Championship, which begins this Saturday at Amahoro stadium.

Speaking at press conference recently, French tactician Richard Tardy said that his boys will pull off a good show as they start quest of lifting the African title at home.

"I have spent time assessing how Burkina Faso plays and its general performance in the road to Rwanda. Having seen how they play, I have confidence in my team putting on good performance.

"It’s important that we do well in the first game, we need a good a platform against Burkina Faso,” the Frenchman has told Times Sport.

According to Tardy, Burkina Faso are a good side, which plays better at home and not so well away from home. The Frenchman has already named an 18-man team.

Uganda’s Proline academy pair of Andrew Butera and Charles Tibingana made it to the team while upcoming Rayon Sport defender Faustin Usengimana will give a boast to Tardy’s team after being summoned on the last minute.

Meanwhile, all Rwandan players have successfully passed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurement which will be used to identify players who may be above the age of 17 during this year’s tournament.

MRI will be used in 2011 U-17 Africa Youth Championship in Kigali in order to protect the integrity of the tournament and in the spirit of fair play.

Though Rwanda is hosting this tournament for the first time, its ambitions are to reach the semi final stage of the tournament so as to clinch an automatic spot for participation in the U-17 World Cup due in Mexico mid this year.

Rwanda must play to its best football in this tough group. The top two in each group are guaranteed a spot at next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

Junior Wasps Team:

Steven Ntalibi, Rusheshangoga Michel, Ndayishimiye Celestin, Nirisarike Salomon, Nsabimana Eric, Ndatimana Robert, Tibingana Charles Mwesigye, Bayisenge Emery,  Kabanda Bonfils, Butera Andrew, Mahoro Nicolas, Mico Justin, Turatsinze Heritier, Rutanga Eric, Usengimana Faustin, Nsegayire Shadad, Mugabo Innocent, Nzarora Marcel.

Ends