Hey adds five new faces for Uganda qualifier

Third roundAug. 12: First legUganda vs Rwanda Amavubi coach Antoine Hey has called five new faces in his provisional 22-player squad for the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) third qualification round, first leg against Uganda that will be played on August 12 in Kampala. The new players include right-back Saddam Nyandwi, who joined Rayon Sports this month from Espoir FC and APR goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi to replace team captain Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye, who will miss first leg because he has two yellow cards. However, Ndayishimiye has been named in the provisional squad as Hey plans to use him for the return leg that will be played on August 19 at Kigali Stadium. Others are; Rayon Sports centre-back Ange Mutsinzi, Police FC striker Christophe ‘Abeddy’ Biramahire and APR midfielder, Imran Nshimiyimana. Amavubi will enter residential camp at Golden Tulip hotel in Nyamata on Sunday before starting training on Monday at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo. The provisional squad excludes Police FC forward Justin Mico, who sustained a knee injury against Tanzania in second leg a fortnight ago. Rwanda eliminated Tanzania on 1-1 aggregate following a goalless draw in the second leg, while Uganda, who have just lost their head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, knocked out South Sudan 5-1 on aggregate. The third round winners will qualify to represent the East and Central African Zone at next year’s finals tournament, alongside hosts Kenya. The CHAN tournament, which is reserved for players, who feature in their respective domestic leagues across Africa, will be staged from January 11 to February 2, 2018. Provision squad: Goalkeepers: Marcel Nzarora (Police FC), Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports) and Yves Kimenyi (APR FC). Defenders: Aimable Nsabimana (APR), Ange Mutsinzi (Rayon Sports), Thierry Manzi (Rayon Sports), Aimable Rucogoza (Bugesera FC), Soter Kayumba and Ratif Bishira (AS Kigali), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (APR), Saddam Nyandwi (Rayon Sports), Jean Marie Muvandimwe (Police) and Eric Iradukunda (AS Kigali). Midfielders: Imran Nshimiyimana (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Yanick Mukunzi (APR) and Oliver Niyonzima (Rayon Sports) Forwards: Innocent Nshuti (APR), Barnabé Mubumbyi and Dominique Savio Nshuti (AS Kigali), Christophe Biramahire (Police FC) and Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports). editorial@newtimes.co.rw