U-17 skipper backs team

Ahead of Caf U-17 Africa Youth Championship THE national U-17 skipper Emery Bayisenge is convinced the team will be in their best shape in the run up to January’s U-17 African Youth Championship which will be jointly hosted in Kigali and Rubavu. The junior wasps flew to Tunisia yesterday where they are to camp for two weeks and Bayisenge, who is a key player for the Ferwafa academy, has no doubt that they have improved a great deal since the Cecafa U-20 youth championship back in August. “We have learnt a lot since the Cecafa U-20 tournament. We have played against quality opposition along the way and picked up some vital lessons,” the creative midfielder said, adding,“We have received maximum support from the Ferwafa and we just want to do our best in January.” In Tunisia, the youngsters will play a number of trial matches against several youth sides including Tunisia’s U-17 side.The team has been boosted by the arrival of two players from Uganda’s Proline academy; Andrew Butera (striker) and Charles Mwesigye Tibagana (midfielder). Early this month, Richard Tardy’s side endured a tough time in Congo Brazzaville after back to back (0-1 and 1-5) defeats against the hosts but Bayisenge believes it was a good learning curve for the team. “Congo Brazzaville is one of the best teams on the continent. Nigeria will not compete in next year’s championship because of them so for us, we learnt a lot from the two games and we want to build on the positives we had in those two games,” the 15-year-old continued. On the local scene, the junior wasps also endured mixed results; losing 0-2 against Rayon Sport and La Jeunesse before pulling off a shocking 2-1 victory over Primus National Football League champions APR. Junior Wasps:Marcel Nzarora, Hategikimana Kabesi, Michelle Rusheshangoga, Emery Bayisenga (captain), Patrick Umwungeri, Celestin Ndayishimiye, Robert Ndatimana, Eric Nsabimana, Hamidu Ndayisaba, Emmanuel Uwimana, Janvier Mutijima, Charles Mwesigye, Justin Mucyo, Bernard Mubumbyi, Abdul Sibomana, Shadad Nsengayire, Elysee Turatsinze, Andrew Butera, Eric Rutanga, Nicole Mahoro, Solomon Nirisarikye, Innocent Mugabo, Steven Ntaribi and Eric Iradukunda. Ends

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U-17 skipper backs team