CHAN

Saturday

Second leg

Rwanda   v    Sudan

Cameroonian defender Boubakary Sadou has been given Rwandan nationality and should make his international debut for the Amavubi Stars on Saturday.

The APR skipper is among the 34 players summoned by the local football governing body, Ferwafa for the second leg of the Africa Nations Championship against Sudan on Saturday at Amahoro stadium.

Sadou was signed by the military side two seasons ago and because he had never featured for the Indomitable Lions, he was free to play for another country—that is when Rwanda came calling.

Talks between Ferwafa and the player started some time last year but it has taken Ferwafa longer than probably expected to convince the Cameroonian born centre-back to accept Rwandan nationality.

Ironically, Sadou becomes yet another foreigner to don the national team colors despite numerous attempts by the local footballers’ body to reduce the number of foreigners not only in the national league but also in the national team.

Meanwhile, Ferwafa and local sports journalists have selected a team each and the two teams are scheduled to play in today’s training match.

Blanko Tucak wants to use the match to select his final squad that will take on Sudan on Saturday, seeking to overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg.

The Ferwafa select will be coached by Eric Nshimiyimana while the media team will be handled by Raoul Shungu. The duo is Tucak’s assistants.

The 34-man squad regrouped yesterday at Alpha Palace and went through the afternoon drills at Nyamirambo stadium as well as today morning session.

The Croat dismantled the team that was beaten 4-0 in Khartoum, bringing in several new faces, among them Sadou.

The Wasps face an uphill task in their bid to qualify for the second round of the inaugural African Nations’ Championship whose finals will be hosted staged in Ivory Coast next year.

Amavubi suffered one of their worst away losses in a while with the last worst defeat registered in 1998 at Nakivubo, Kampala when the late Majid Musisi struck a hat trick with Edgar Watson scoring a brace as Rwanda lost to Cranes 0-5.

Inept tactics and poor organization were the major cause for Rwanda’s humiliating loss to the Desert Hawks who looked composed and determined.

The results in Khartoum mean that Sudan will be favourites to qualify on the Rwanda’s expense unless Tucak can cause an unlikely upset and beat the visitors 5-0.

Whoever qualifies to the second round between Rwanda and Sudan will meet the winner of Uganda and Tanzanian. Tanzania lead 2-0 from the first leg with the return leg on this weekend in Kampala.

The second leg matches are scheduled for May 16-18, where the finals in Cote d’Ivoire run from February 22 to March 8, next year.

Ferwafa select team: J.C Ndoli (APR), J.L Ndayishimiye (Atraco), E. Ntaganda (APR), I. Nshutinamagara (Atraco), B. Hategikimana (Rayon), A. Rucogoza (Rayon), B. Sadou (APR), A. Gaseruka (APR, E. Gasana (APR), J. Mugiraneza (APR), A. Nyumbayire (Rayon), H. Niyonzima (APR), J.C Iranzi (Kiyovu) M. Mafisango (Atraco), A. Mulenda (Atraco), J. Lomami (Rayon) and E. Uzamukunda (APR).

Media select team: E. Mutuyimana (Kiyovu), C. Hakizimana (Atraco), E. Uwizeyimana (AS Kigali), M Girishuti (APR), A. Uwiringiyimana (Police), M. Lomami (Kiyovu), J. Shyaka (Atraco), J.M.V Rukundo (APR), H. Ngoma (APR), P. Kagabo (Atraco), L. Bokota (Rayon), H. Kabongo (Rayon), A. Serugendo (Mukura), C. Nshimiyimana (Mukura),Y. Ndayishimiye (Kiyovu), A. Uwimana (Rayon) and C. Uwumukiza (Military).

Ends