Eritrea pulls out

Focus back on national league AMAVUBI’s task of reaching next year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) has been simplified after reports that Eritrea has withdrawn from the qualifiers. Amavubi, who regrouped early this week, were set to play Eritrea next Sunday but Ferwafa Vice President Raoul Gisanura has now confirmed that the tie is off after Eritrea’s withdrawal citing financial constraints. “We have been informed that Eritrea has pulled out of the qualifiers.” Eritrea is the second team to pull out after Ethiopia, who eased Kenya’s task citing financial incapacitation. Rwanda was supposed to play Eritrea on the weekend of March 13-14 in Asmara before hosting the latter in Kigali a fortnight later. This means that Rwanda has bye to the second round where she will play the winner between Tanzania and Somalia in May. A provisional 20-man squad had already started intensive training at Ferwafa but the players have now returned to their respective clubs in preparation for national league action which returns next week. Last year, Amavubi had a premature exit form the CHAN qualifiers following their 4-0 defeat against Sudan. CHAN is a biannual tournament introduced by CAF in 2008 exclusively for local based players. The 2011 edition will be staged in Sudan. Ends

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Eritrea pulls out