2014 World Cup qualifier

June 9, Group H

Mali vs RwandaBenin vs Algeria

AMAVUBI Stars skipper Olivier Karekezi is expected to link up with the team in Bamako on Thursday ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Mali due to be played on Sunday.

According to Rwandan football governing body, Ferwafa, there has been difficulty trying to secure a flight connection for the striker to join Amavubi camp over the weekend because his Tunisian club CA Bizertin had an African Confederation game against Ismaily of Egypt on Sunday.

The federation is still trying to see whether they can get him on a plane to Kigali on Wednesday, a day before the team jets out to Bamako, however, this move would not be seen as appropriate. According to a federation official, plans are underway to see whether Karekezi could link up with the team in Bamako or join his colleagues in Kigali.

"We are still trying to find the appropriate way of having him join the team either here or in Bamako. At the moment we are considering all possible travel connections,” the official told Times Sport on Sunday.

Apart from Karekezi, Tanzania-based defender Mbuyu Twite, who plays for Yanga has also not reported in Amavubi training camp despite promising to do so last week.

Head coach Eric Nshimiyimana said yesterday, "We have no information about Mbuyu. The last time I talked to him, he promised to be in camp on May 29. Ever since then, he can’t be reached even on his phone.”

Striker Elias Uzamukunda [AS Cannes], defender Salomon Nirisarike [Antweerp] and playmaker Haruna Niyonzima ensured preparations do not suffer any derailment by reporting for duty last week.

Though Rwanda is out of contention for a place in the second round of qualification for the 2014 World Cup, Nshimiyimana is eager to register good performances against Mali and Algeria next month.