Today

Sudan vs Gabon

Feb.7

Rwanda vs Senegal

APR and Amavubi first choice goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye a.k.a Bakame has failed to make Sellas Tetteh’s 23-man squad for the 2011 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which kicks off today in Khartoum.

Bakame is down with a fever which means that APR’s second choice Jean Claude Ndoli is most likely to be in goal for Rwanda’s Group D opener against Senegal in Port Sudan.

After revealing the final squad last evening, Tetteh conceded that Bakame’s omission was a great blow for Rwanda.

"He is one of the most consistent players in the team and you need such players for such big tournaments,” he said before adding, "But that should not be an excuse for a poor performance. We have to use the resources at our disposal to put in a good show.”

The Ghanaian is eager to redeem his reputation after a poor start in his new role.

After losing his first two 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Benin, Tetteh watched helplessly as Tanzania ejected Rwanda from the last eight of last year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam.

The three-week tournament kicks off this afternoon with a Group A game between hosts Sudan and Gabon. Uganda and Algeria complete the group.

Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Niger are in Group B while Group C pits holders DRC against Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Mali. Group D features Rwanda, Senegal, Angola and Tunisia although the latter remain a big doubt due to the ongoing political unrest in Tunis.

Heading into the tournament, Angola is one of the best prepared teams following a rigorous two-week training camp in Brazil.

CHAN is a tournament reserved for players featuring in their respective local leagues.

The first edition, held in Ivory Coast in 2009, was won by DRC. The Congolese beat Ghana in the final.
Amavubi jets out this afternoon aboard Ethiopian airlines.

Amavubi team:

Goal keepers: Jean Claude Ndoli, Everest Mutuyimana and Patrick Rutayisire

Defenders: Donatien Tuyizere, Abouba Sibomana, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Didier Kapet, Eric Gasana, Clement Mutunzi and Albert Ngabo.

Midfielders: Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Claude Iranzi, Aphrodis Hategikimana, James Tubane, Jamal Mwiseneza, Bienfait Kabanda, Hussein Sibomana,
Strikers:Peter Kagabo, Jacques Tuyisenge, Emmanuel Sebanani, Eric Serugaba, Yussuf Ndayishimiye.

Ends