Amavubi going for a win

Friendly MatchesTodayRwanda vs Namibia 5:30pmTanzania vs KenyaDR Congo vs Burkina Faso

Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Vietnam-based defender Steven Godfroid is in line to make his second Amavubi appearance, while France-based Uzamukunda (right) will lead the line. The New Times/T. Kisambira.

Friendly MatchesTodayRwanda vs Namibia 5:30pmTanzania vs KenyaDR Congo vs Burkina FasoAMAVUBI Stars will go for an outright win against visitors Namibia in today’s international friendly match at Amahoro stadium, according to head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic.In preparation for the match, Amavubi had a week-long training camp with foreign based players like Haruna Niyonzima, Elias Uzamukunda, Solomon Nirisarike and Steven Godfroid all joining the group ahead of the game. "I expect a tough game keeping in mind that Namibia plays better in away matches. They have been boosted with two new additions to their squad, but we’ll be going out for a win,” Micho told Times Sport after yesterday’s morning training session.He added, "With good home support, I expect a good performance from the players, who know their performance will in a way determine how they would perform in the Cecafa Cup.”Micho called on fans to come in large numbers and play their role as the team’s twelfth player.The Serbian tactician says he regards international friendlies as Rwanda’s gateway to improve her Fifa ranking. "We hope to play a couple of international friendly matches in coming days as this will help us rise in the world rankings,” he said.The Brave Warriors, who arrived in the country yesterday, held a training session last evening at Amahoro stadium.The South Africans, who held Amavubi to a 0-0 draw in the first friendly last month, expect a different approach from the home team, but coach Bernard Kaanjuka is confident his team will do the job. "We have a good team with players, who understand my philosophy and based on what we saw from the first match, we expect a tough game, but we are ready,” explained Kaanjuka.From the 18 players called up, the star of the first meeting between the two sides, Hansa Rostock midfielder Manfred Starke is missing, while Ramblers Emilio Martin makes a return to the national team fold.Amavubi is using this match to stay competitive ahead of the Cecafa Challenge tournament due in Uganda next week as well as the next 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier – against Mali on March 22.