Gatete returns

Local football governing body, Ferwafa has summoned 21 players for the first leg of the Africa Championship first round clash against Sudan’s Desert Hawks scheduled for May 4 in Khartoum. The competition, initiated by Africa soccer body, CAF, is only open to locally-based players. The Amavubi Stars start non residential training today at Nyamirambo stadium before entering camp (for residential training) on Monday. The 21-man squad was selected by the technical committee led by acting head coach Raoul Shungu. Eric Gasana (Mbuyu Twite) and Jimmy Gatete (Rayon Sport) have been included after missing the preliminary round second leg against Burundi, which ended goalless. Mbuyu makes his first appearance in the Championship after returning back from a three-week vacation in his native country, DR Congo. As for Gatete, the most capped players on the current squad; his return was inevitable as his omission form the last lot did not receive convincing explanations. However, Atraco midfielder cum defender, Patrick Mafisango has been dropped despite a sold performance during the draw with Burundi. The Amavubi Stars advanced to the first round after seeing off Burundi, 1-0 on goals aggregate. Rwanda lost to Sudan 4-5 on penalty kicks after a 2-all draw in the final of last year’s Cecafa senior challenge cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Sudan, three-time Cecafa Cup Champions, is the only country in the region which was given a bye to the first round thus drawing Rwanda. The qualification proved right the tactics of newly appointed Amavubi coach Raoul Shungu who was making his debut with Rwanda’s national team after being appointed just over two weeks ago. Shungu took over the reins of the national football team after a two months’ era of mixed results under Atraco’s Jean-Marie Ntagwabira and ex-Rayon coach Antoine Rutsindura. Speaking to Times Sport early this week, Shungu said, I am selecting a strong squad which must get a positive result in the first leg away to Sudan. Any positive result in Khartoum will be a major factor in determining whether we progress to the next stage or not, Shungu said. Elsewhere, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars hosts Uganda Cranes in the first leg due in Mwanza on May 3. Cote d’Ivoire will host the final tournament from February 22 - March 8, 2009. The Amavubi squad: GOAL KEEPERS: JC Ndoli (APR), J. Ndayishimiye (Atraco) and B. Mandela (Police). DEFENDERS: E. Ntaganda (APR), Mwemere Girinshuti (APR), B. Hategikimana (Rayon), A. Rucogoza (Rayon), M. Lomami (Kiyovu), J.B. Uwacu (APR) and A. Gaseruka (APR). MIDFIELDERS: E. Gasana (APR), J. Mugiraneza (APR), A. Hategikimana (Rayon), H. Niyonzima (APR), K. Kase (Rayon) and H. Kabongo (Rayon) STRIKERS: A. Mulenda (Atraco), R. Tuyisenge (Rayon), J. Lomami (Rayon), J. Gatete (Rayon) and E. Uzamukunda (APR).Ends

Lifestyle

Gatete returns