As Kalisa Mao and Bokota join Amavubi camp

Saturday

2012 CAN qualifying

Rwanda  vs  Ivory Coast 3:30pm
Burundi  vs  Benin

Amavubi coach Sellas Tetteh will be without striker Elias Uzamukunda alia ‘Baby’ for tomorrow’s crunch 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast at Amahoro stadium.

The France based striker is said to be having personal problems that have ruled him out of the tie according to Boniface Nsabimana an official in the national football federation, Ferwafa.

Rwanda is already out of contention for the 2012 nations cup tourney while Ivory Coast has already qualified but the tie is far from being a dead rubber.

Sellas Tetteh is desperate to boost confidence in the national team and fans and also improve his poor record since taking over which stands at 15 matches with only 2 wins and three draws.

Meanwhile, striker Labama Bokota finally joined the team’s residential training camp yesterday. Bokota, who has only played 25 minutes since Tetteh took charge over a year ago, is likely to lead Amavubi attacking line in the absence of Uzamukunda.

APR striker, who has just agreed terms to return to Rayon Sports for a second spell has been in good form with DR Congolese side DC Motema Pembe.

In an interview with Times Sport yesterday, head coach Sellas Tetteh noted that his troops are ready for the clash despite missing his key striker Uzamukunda.

"The players are ready and they have gained their confidence which is the most important factor against an experienced side like Cote d’Iviore,” Tetteh said as he took his side into the final training session which would determine the final 18-man team to face the Elephants.

Advantage Rwanda!

The Elephants arrived in the country last yesterday. The first batch made of the Ivorian federation officials arrived in the country in the morning while the team landed at Kigali international airport at 19.30 aboard KLM airways from Amsterdam, Holland.

Head coach Francoius Zahoui has noted that they are coming Kigali wit2 humility because of the way the team has progressed of recent.

Zahoui told Ivorian press, "Rwanda has an advantage of us because they are composed of mainly local players thus making them more physical and very catchy.

"So we are going to play this game with humility and get down with our qualities. We will respect them and put in much more seriousness so as to win,” added Zahoui.

Rwanda is placed bottom of Group H with three points, one point behind Burundi and Benin in third and second position while Côte d'Ivoire has already sealed her ticket to 2012 Nations Cup final after accumulating 12 points in four matches played.

Ends