McKinstry names Amavubi squad for WCup qualifier

Nov. 13 Libya vs Rwanda Rwanda head coach Johnny McKinstry has named a strong squad to face Libya in the 2018 FIFA World Cup second round of qualification with the first leg set for November 13 in Sfax, Tunisia. McKinstry announced the squad on Monday at the FERWAFA headquarters—it includes recently injured right back Michel Rusheshangoga and left back Abouba Sibomana, who passed fitness tests over the weekend. “Michel and Abouba have pretty much completed their recovery. Michel sustained a sprained ankle last week and he has been working everyday with Patrick Rutamu, our physio so he has been getting treatment everyday. Today morning (yesterday), he did his fitness and there is no pain in his ankle at all so he will be 100% when we start on Monday,” McKinstry said at a media briefing. Sibomana, who suffered a sprain against Ghana in September, had recovered while at his Kenyan club Gor Mahia and was ready to return to the Amavubi side three days to departing for the Morocco training camp last month but tweaked it. McKinstry said, “Gor Mahia said your medical staff seem in a good position to deal with it and again Abouba has been getting regular treatment and was out on Sunday at the Mumena Stadium and did a full fitness test and has no pain.” Central defender Emery Bayisenge has returned to the national team fold following his recent absence after a failed move to Austrian second division club Lask Linz in September. Bayisenge, who turned 22 yesterday, failed to acquire a work permit to work in Austria in time before the close of the summer transfer window but hopes to attain one by December and should be able to get an ITC for a possible transfer in the January transfer window. On the former Rwanda U-17 team captain, McKinstry said, “He has been training with APR and played the full 90 minutes over the weekend so he is fit but he has to fight for his place with the other three central defenders Salomon Nirisarike, Faustin Usengimana and Abdul Rwatubyaye.” The return leg will be played on November 17 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The 20 winners from the second round will be divided into five groups of four teams and each group winner will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The draw will be held after the second round. Amavubi squad Goalkeepers: Olivier Kwizera (APR), Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports) and Jean Claude Ndoli (APR) Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (SC Kiyovu), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Salomon Nirisarike (Sint Truiden, Belgium), Faustin Usengimana (APR) and Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR) Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga), Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports), Hegman Ngomirakiza (Police), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon Sports) and Jacques Tuyisenge (Police) Forwards: Quentin Rushenguziminega (Lausanne Sport), Isaie Songa (Police) and Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali).