BY BONNIE MUGABE The national U-17 coach Yves Rwasamanzi trimmed the youthful from 35 to 23 players ahead of the Cecafa Youth tournament slated for August 18-27 in Bujumbura, Burundi. Rwasamanzi said players that the 35 players were pre-selected and after a week of intensive training, the team was trimmed to 23 players before entering residential training next week at Hello’s corner. The 23 player will again be reduce to 20 as he final squad that will travel to Bujmbura for the inaugural Youth Championship. “Some of the players who were dropped were still young and thus have other opportunities to play in next year’s team,” Rwasamanzi said He added that the last 20-man squad would be announced two days before their departure for Bujumbura to avoid any risk in case a player falls sick and yet they have sent the axed players back home. “I am impressed by the selection of the team, the boys are good and have high confidence, desire to train, naturally gifted, and are quick learners,” Rwasamanzi added. Rwasamanzi who is unbothered about their opener against Somalia said that the team’s progress has been tremendous more especially in the past one friendly matches and hopes that they will put up a good display in Bujumbura. The event, which is sponsored by President Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) will be staged in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura and will run from August 18-27. Meanwhile, AS-Kigali assistant Coach Casa Kasabongo has been appointed as Rwasamanzi’s assistant. Casa will closely work with Rwasamanzi as the two look to steer Rwanda to success. Ferwafa has dispatched Frw 30 millions to finance the team’s preparation and participation in the regional tournament that has attracted seven countries; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Zanzibar. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has injected $ 68000(Frw. 37.400.000) in the tournament. The players remaining in the camp are: Regis Uwingabire, Ally Ishimwe, Pierre Maniraguha, Amani Uwiringiyimana,), Moses Kanamugire, J.C Uwingabire, Michelle Nkurikiye, Eric Nshimiyimana, Venuste Nshimyumukiza, Yousuf Munyakayanza, Patrick Bizimana, Placide Sibomana, Bruce Abijuru, Hegman Ngoma, Emmanuel Habinshuti, Jimmy Kakule, J.M Vianey Rukundo, J.C Iranzi, Abouba Sibomana,Alphonse Mutokambari, Djabil Irankunda, Swaib Nkurunziza and Christian Umukiza. ENDS
