Rwanda seek to win CECAFA Women Championship

TodayZanzibar vs BurundiUganda vs Kenya MondayTanzania vs Rwanda She-Amavubi coach Grace Nyinawumuntu has said that although her team is not among the favourites they have the potential to win the revamped CECAFA Women Championship that will run from September 11-20 in Uganda. A delegation including 20-player squad and officials departed for Kampala on Saturday morning aboard RwandAir to Entebbe International Airport before connecting to Jinja in Eastern Uganda by road. Before departure, Nyinawumuntu said she has selected the best possible squad which she hopes can get points off their Group B rivals Tanzania and Ethiopia. Rwanda start their campaign against Tanzania tomorrow before taking on Ethiopia two days later in the last group match and they will be looking to register maximum points to finish on top and advance to the semi-finals. An upbeat Nyinawumuntu said, “Our mission is to win the Championship in Uganda. We have a good squad which has trained well and we are confident of achieving this target.” “Tanzania and Ethiopia are good sides with experienced players, but we also have a talented group of players, who are hungry for success and I hope the matches leave a positive impact on my team,” she added. The tournament kicks-off today with Zanzibar facing Burundi in the first game before hosts Uganda take on Kenya in the second game of Group A. The Group A and B winner plus runners up will qualify for the semi-finals due on September 18 while the final and third-place play-off are scheduled on September 20. The CECAFA Women Championship returns after a 30-year absence and all the matches will be played at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru with two games running per day. The last CECAFA women football championship was held in Zanzibar and was won by the hosts in 1986. Rwanda squad: Goalkeepers: Judith Ingabire (AS Kigali), Helene Uwizeyimana (AS Kigali) and Shamimu Nyinawumuntu (Kamonyi FC). Defenders: Clementine Mukamana (AS Kigali), Louise Maniraguha (Les Lionnes), Edith Umulisa (AS Kigali), Joseline Mukantaganira (Kamonyi), Alodie Kayitesi (AS Kigali), Marie Claire Uwamahoro (AS Kigali) and Djamila Abimana (Kamonyi). Midfielders: Sifa Gloria Nibagwire (AS Kigali), Albertine Mukashema (Kamonyi,) M. Jeanne Nyirahafashimana (AS Kigali), Dorothea Mukeshimana (Kamonyi), Dudja Umwariwase (AS Kigali) and Alice Kalimba (AS Kigali). Strikers: Anne Marie Ibangarye (AS Kigali), Calixte Iradukunda (Kamonyi), Liberate Nibagwire (AS Kigali) and Florence Imanizabayo (AS Kigali). editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda seek to win CECAFA Women Championship