AFCON preps: Amavubi coach names 26-man squad

Amavubi head coach Johnny McKinstry, yesterday, announced a 26-player provisional squad for the upcoming AFCON 2017 Gabon qualifiers double header against Mauritius. Rwanda will play away to Mauritius on March 26 at Anjalay Stadium in Belle-Vue before hosting Les Dodos three days later for the return-leg clash in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The squad, announced on Wednesday, includes six foreign-based players. Should Amavubi win both games, it will boost their chances of qualifying for Africa’s biggest football event. Rwanda and Mauritius have three points each after two rounds of qualifiers, but Amavubi have a better goal difference. Second-placed Rwanda beat Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo last June before losing 1-0 to table leaders Ghana in September at Amahoro national stadium while Mauritius, in third place, lost 7-0 to Ghana before stunning Mozambique 1-0. Mozambique is bottom without a point. Belgiam-based Nirisarike is among the foreign based players who have been summoned. Speaking to Times Sport after releasing the provisional squad, McKinstry said the two matches against Mauritius are a must win for his team if they’re to keep AFCON 2017 qualification dream alive. “We need to get positive results from both games and light up the path to AFCON 2017. Both games are a must-win; dropping points in any will cost us big. The coaching staff and players are ready for whatever it takes to get results we all want,” McKinstry told this paper. The 30-year-old Northern Irishman added: “Many of the outstanding performers from CHAN have retained their places; we have added few players, who have showed good form since the resumption of the national league. We also have a number of foreign-based players, so I am confident in the squad.” The former Sierra Leone tactician noted that he expects competition for a place in the final squad to be tougher than ever, and that players need to show character and work very hard in training to prove they are up for the games.” Uzamukunda, who plays for Le Mans, in France has also been included on the provisional team. The squad will regroup on Saturday at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nyamata before starting training the next day at Amahoro national stadium. The team will leave for Mauritius on March 24, two days before the game. Full squad Goalkeepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Olivier Kwizera (APR), Marcel Nzarora (Police) and Andre Mazimpaka (Mukura VS) Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (Kiyovu SC), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura VS), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali), Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR) and Salomon Nirisarike (STVV, Belgium) Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam FC, Tanzania), Amran Nshimiyimana (Police), Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga SC, Tanzania), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon Sports), Innocent Habyarimana (Police), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Yussufu Habimana (Mukura VS) and Muhadjiri Hakizimana (Mukura VS) Forwards: Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Quentin Rushenguziminega (Laussane Sport, Swiss), Elias Uzamukunda (Le Mans, France) and Dany Usengimana (Police). editorial@newtimes.co.rw