Karekezi slams Ferwafa

OLIVIER Karekezi’s war of words with the local football governing body, Ferwafa is far from over following his latest rant, Bonnie Mugabe reports. The former national team captain, who plays for Sweden’s second division side Osters IF, is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that he was omitted for Amavubi’s opening 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast. Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, the former APR star questioned the criteria for selecting the national team after learning that Amavubi head coach Sellas Tetteh is not likely to make big changes from the side that played Ivory Coast. “I’m a professional player and play regularly for my club so the least Ferwafa can do is to give me a chance to prove myself,” the 27-year-old midfielder said before calling upon the team to up their performance in next month’s qualifier against Benin. “It’s paramount that whoever makes the team against Benin plays his heart out because it is a must win game for us.” With 44 caps, Karekezi is one of Rwanda’s most capped players. He was also part of the ‘legendary’ Amavubi team which qualified for the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia. Karekezi is going through a torrid period as his Swedish side is on the verge of being relegated to the third division.Rwanda had a wobbly start in their qualifying campaign following a 3-0 defeat in Abidjan. Playing against a star-studded Elephants’ side, the wasps’ inferiority complex and nervousness let them down. Manchester City’s recent signing Yaya Toure put the hosts infront inside the first ten minutes after capitalizing on indecisive defending from center-backs Didier Kapet and Boubakary Saddou. Eight minutes later, the Elephants were back celebrating when Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou beat Saddou and Kapet to a loose ball to double the lead. Seven minutes to half time, Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue completed the rout with a spectacular individual goal.The result leaves Ivory Coast top of the group with three points. Burundi and Benin are second with a point each after their 1-all draw in Porto-Novo while Amavubi languish at the bottom with zero points. To qualify, Rwanda needs to top Group H or finish inside the best three qualifiers. Ends