Local football governing body, Ferwafa has put on hold this year’s Amahoro Cup championship to enable the national team prepare for the 2010 World/Africa qualifier against Mauritania on May 30 in Kigali.

The Minister of Culture and Sport Joseph Habineza confirmed the development over the weekend.

He said, "The Amahoro Cup championship will be put on hold to enable Amavubi team enough time to prepare for the 2010 World/Africa qualifiers.”

"There is no way the Amahoro Cup would be played on May 20 (today) and then summon the players back to start preparations for the Mauritania game,” Habineza observed.

He continued, "The Amahoro Cup should return after the 2010 World/Africa qualifiers against Morocco home and away fixtures as well as Ethiopia fixture.”

The championship, which has been designed on a knockout basis this time round, was scheduled to start today with eight fixtures.

The knock-out fixtures included; APR against Cyangugu’s Espoir at Huye stadium, Rayon against Nyanza in Muhanga, Kiyovu vs Musanze at Shorongyi, Etincelles vs Mukura at Camp Kigali, AS Kigali against Military at Mumena, Electrogaz vs Marines in Ruhengeri and Kibuye against Police at Muhanga, while Atraco take on Union.

According to the initial arrangement, the quarter-finals were set for June 26, semi-finals on July 1 and the finals, as always on July 4, the national Liberation Day.

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