Amavubi ready to sting as they face Burundi test

Rwanda renews its rivalry with Burundi this afternoon in a friendly game at the Kigali regional stadium as the hosts set sight on their first win under the stewardship of head coach Stephen Constantine. Constantine has made it clear that victory is his main target and the in-form Amavubi will stop at nothing to win this friendly match as both sides prepare for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers in March. “I want to win the game. It is an important game for us. It is a new team, the U-23 team. It is the first time we are playing together. All the games you play for your country are important games and we always want to win every game,” revealed Constantine. The youngsters will be looking to the experience of Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and Ismael Nshutiyamagara who are the selected over age players in the squad. However, goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera, Emery Bayisenge, Michel Rusheshangoga and Robert Ndatimana are some of the players who play regular football at club level that will come in handy this afternoon. The last time the two teams met was in March this year in Bujumbura at the Prince Louis Rwagasore stadium. The game ended in goalless draw. Meanwhile, former Rayon Sports and Burundian talisman Cedric Amissi who currently features for Chibuto FC in Mozambique will be playing on a familiar territory and against familiar opposition in today’s encounter. Rwanda faces Somalia in the first round of qualification and the winner meets Uganda. In the third round qualification, the winner will take on Egypt and the victor will then qualify for the CAF U-23 tournament that will be hosted in the Democratic Republic of Congo from December 5-19 next year. The top three will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. In the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday, Rwanda was ranked 68th while Burundi is ranked 127th in the world. Burundi team list: Innocent Mbonihankuye (LLS4A), Marc Arthur Arakaza (VitalO), Omar Nganda (Muzinga), Issa Hakizimana (LLS4A), Kiza Fataki (LLS4A), Rashid Léon (LLS4A), David Nshimirimana (VitalO), Nassor Niyonkuru (Athlético Olympic), Gael Duhayindavyi (LLS4A), Stève Nzigamasabo (VitalO), Trésor Mubango (Athlético Olympic), Abassi Nshimirimana (Buja City), Cedric Amissi (Chibuto, Mozambique), Christophe Nduwarugira (Chibuto Mozambique), Emmanuel Nvuyekure (LLS4A), Fabrice Nininahazwe (LLS4A), Laudit Mavugo (VitalO), Fiston Abdoul Razak (Sofapaka, Kenya).