Coaches working to improve Amavubi fullbacks

International Friendly Sunday Tunisia vs Rwanda IN modern football fullbacks operate as wingers (wingbacks), that is why Amavubi team coaches are working very hard to improve that department ahead of Sunday friendly match against Tunisia due to be played in Monastir.

Saturday, May 26, 2012
Amavubi Stars assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana. The New Times/File.

International FriendlySundayTunisia vs RwandaIN modern football fullbacks operate as wingers (wingbacks), that is why Amavubi team coaches are working very hard to improve that department ahead of Sunday friendly match against Tunisia due to be played in Monastir.The team’s assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana said yesterday, "North Africans are very good on attacking from the flanks as was evidenced in the match against Libya”."That is why we are working hard to improve the work rate of our fullbacks so as to be able to stop the opponents’ movements. The coaches are trying out different formations with different players to employ in those positions. Among the players being trained to take up the fullback positions include Jean Claude Iranzi, Frederick Ndaka, Eric Gasana, Albert Ngabo and Emery Bayisenge. However, with Gasana injured, Bayisenge who had a light knock on his left ankle after Thursday’s night training might assume the right full back role on Sunday against Tunisia.Meanwhile, Nshimiyimana commended the team’s performance inspite of the 2-0 loss to Libya in the first warm up match played on Wednesday."The team is beginning to rise to the challenge of playing at the big stage. As a coach, I know games like these are not just about winning, but most importantly they give coach the opportunity to gauge his players’ performance levels,” stated the former Amavubi towering midfielder.During the match against Libya, Amavubi players were very mobile, competitive, and Nshimiyimana has urged the players bring the same on the table on Sunday.Amavubi is using the friendly matches to prepare for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month. Rwanda is placed in Group H against Algeria, Benin and Mali.