CAF, Rwanda sign CHAN organizing agreement

Confederation of African Football (CAF) and hosts Rwanda have signed the Organizing Association Agreement (OAA) ahead of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) bringing to an end the latter’s five-day inspection across the country. The document signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu, Rwanda Football Association president and chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Vincent Nzamwita, CAF 2nd vice president and head of the CHAN Organizing Committee Almamy Kabele Camara and CAF secretary general Hicham El Amrani. The document codifies the obligations of both parties and regulates the organizational details of the tournament scheduled from January 16-February 7 in Kigali, Huye and Rubavu. The CAF delegation visited all the competition venues including Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo as well as the Huye Stadium in the Southern Province and Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu. Rwandan Prime Minister Anastasius Murekezi joined the delegation on Wednesday in Butare and urged the contractors on the site to meet the October deadline. Murekezi pointed out that the tournament will serve a moment of unity and feast in stadiums as places of socialization and celebration of the African youth. Camara told the media in a press briefing yesterday afternoon that, “I am impressed with the organization so far. We can say that there has been considerable progress on works at the facilities.” The draw for the final tournament of the fourth CHAN edition will be held on November 18 in Kigali. Meanwhile, Ghana head coach Avram Grant has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda on September 5 at Amahoro stadium. The former Chelsea trainer has included in-form Andre Dede Ayew, who missed the first qualifier against Mauritius due to injury but the forward has since recovered and has scored two goals for his new English Premier League Swansea City. The Black Stars will face Congo Brazzaville in a friendly game on September 1 in Congo before travelling to Kigali for the Group H fixture. On-loan Bournemouth winger Christian Atsu, who is expected to recover from injury in time for the Amavubi encounter, has also made the squad that is captained by Asamoah Gyan. Ghana squad Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Fatau Dauda (AshGold), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars) Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England), Baba Rahman (Chelsea, England), Gyimah Edwin (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Daniel Amartey, (FC Copenhagen, Denmark) Midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Krasnodar, Russia), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Solomon Asante (T.P. Mazembe, DR Congo), Christian Atsu (Bournemouth, England), Andre Ayew (Swansea City, UK) Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Bernard Mensah (Getafe, Spain), Godfred Donsah (Bologna, Italy) Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (SIPG Shanghai, China), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), David Accam (Chicago Fire, USA), Richmond Boakye Yiadom(Atalanta, Italy). editorial@newtimes.co.rw