2010 WC/Africa Cup qualifiers

Saturday

Rwanda  v   Mauritania

Amavubi team head coach Tucak Blanko has named the final squad which will engage Mauritania tomorrow in the 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers. The Croat named the final squad in a press conference held yesterday at Ferwafa head quarters, Remera.

Blanko included thirteen local and five professional players in the 18-man squad. However, foreign based duo of Jabo Mutsinzi (US Creteil Lusitanos, France) and Mwizerwa Ngabo (FC Wiltz 71, Luxembourg) was excluded.

The named professional players in the team include: Olivier Karekezi (Hamarkameratene, Norway), Fritz Emeran Nkusi (Levadiakos, Greece), Bobo Bola (Laundskbois, Sweden) Said Abedi Makasi(Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Hamad Ndikumana  a.k.a Katauti (Omonia,Cyprus).

The Croat made surprise changes by excluding several local players who have had an impact on their team in the national football league.

They include: Rayon Sport pair of Aimable Rucogoza and Bonaventure Hategikimana, SC Kiyovu left winger Jean- Claude Iranzi, the league’s top goal scorer Elias Uzamukunda(APR) and Atraco pair of Abedi Mulenda and Peter Kagabo.

"The excluded players will remain in camp with the rest of the team because I will still need them in the later qualifiers next month,” Blanko said.

The Croat will feature Jean-Bosco Uwacu and Fritz Emeran Nkusi in the midfield liberating them from the usual defensive roles.

"I believe the pair can play better in the midfield zone instead of defending. I have done this to ensure an attacking game,” Blanko said.

Blanko further added that he wants to feature many players in the midfield so as to suit his preferred 3-5-2 formation.

"I have prepared this squad technically, mentally and physically thus nothing can stop us (Amavubi) from winning the game” Blanko said.

Rwanda faces Mauritania in her first qualifying campaign this weekend before playing away to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on June 7.

Rwanda is expected to host the Morocco a week later before playing the Atlas Lions in a return leg on June 21.

On September 7, the 2007 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup losing finalists head to Nouakchott for the second leg against Mauritania before winding up their campaign with a home game against Ethiopia on October 12.

Amavubi squad: Goal Keepers; Jean-Claude Ndoli and Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye.

Defenders: Hamad Ndikumana, Aloua Gaseruka, Elias Ntaganda, Arafat Serugendo, Saddou Boubakary and Ismail Nshutinamagara.

Midfielders: Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza, Jean-Bosco Uwacu, Haruna Niyonzima, Eric Gasana, Mutesa Mafisango and Fritz Emeran Nkusi.

Strikers: Olivier Karekezi, Bokota Labama, Said Abedi Makasi, and Bobo Bola.

Ends