Group H
Oct. 9
Ivory Coast vs. Burundi
Benin vs Rwanda

INTERIM Amavubi coach Eric Nshimiyimana has picked a new crop of players for Amavubi’s last Africa Nations’ cup qualifier against Benin on October 9 in Porto Novo.

Nshimiyimana said that the main focus ahead of the qualifier is to be able to organize a solid team which can restore pride for Rwanda.

"The reason why we have drafted many young players in the squad is to be able to prepare a strong a team which can stage a good performance in Benin,”

"We have nothing to fight for but pride,” said Nshimiyimana who also added that he will be assessing the players ahead of the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers which kick off in November.

Rwanda is already out of contention for the 2012 nations’ cup qualifiers after managing just one win in 5 matches.

Among the players who might make their maiden debuts for Amavubi include; Gabriel Mugabo (Mukura), Innocent Habyarimana (AS Kigali), Jean Paul Havugarurema (La Jeunesse), Ndikumana Bodo (AS Kigali), Papy Kamanzi (Rayon Sport), Eric Nsabimana (SEC Academy) and Jean Marie Rusingizandekwe (Marines reserve team, Belgium).

Despite missing the last qualifier against Ivory Coast, APR skipper Olivier Karekezi is the other local player summoned to the squad.

Seven professional players who were summoned include; DC Motema Pembe pair of Bokota Labama, Mao Kalisa and Proline FC duo of Charles Tibingana and Andrew Buteera.

AS Cannes based striker Elias Uzamukunda returns to the team after missing out on the last qualifier alongside the team’s skipper Haruna Niyonzima who features for Tanzanian outfit Yanga and Rusingizandekwe who was promoted to the Marines FC reserve side after performing well at the Fifa U-17 World Cup finals held in Mexico.

The team starts training on Monday at Ferwafa turf and is expected to head to Porto Novo on October 6.

Amavubi team: Jean Claude Ndoli (APR), Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (APR), Evariste Mutuyimana (Police), Regis Ingabire Regis (Mukura), Eric Gasana (APR), Emery Bayisenge (Ferwafa academy), Ismail Nshutiyamagara (APR), Gabriel Mugabo (Mukura), Albert Ngabo Albert (APR), Eric Nsabimana (SEC academy), Mwemere Ngirinshuti (AS Kigali), Frederic Ndata (Police), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Hussein Sibomana (Kiyovu), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Innocent Habyarimana (AS Kigali), Eric Ndahayo Eric (Police), Jerome Sina (Rayon Sport), Jean Paul Havugarurema (La Jeunesse), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Bodo Ndikumana (AS Kigali), Olivier Karekezi (APR FC), Papy Kamanzi (Rayon Sport FC)

Pros: Bokota Labama Kamana (DC Motema Pembe, DRC), Mao Kalisa (DC Motema Pembe, DRC), Charles Tibingana (Proline, Uganda), Andrew Buteera (Proline), Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga, Tanzania), Jean Marie Rusingizandekwe (Marines reserve team, Belgium) and Elias Uzamukunda (AS Cannes, France).

Ends