Tardy names strong squad for Namibia duel

AYC U-20 qualifyingSaturdayNamibia vs RwandaCoach Richard Tardy has drafted Belgium-based Salomon Nirisarike in his 23-man provisional squad for this weekend’s Africa Under-20 championship qualifier against Namibia.Nirisarike plies his trade with Belgium’s second division club Royal Antwerp Football Club. The former Stella Maris defender joined Antwerp from SEC academy after passing a series of trials in January.Another prominent figure in the squad is Bonny Bayingana, who has been influential in Sam Ssimbwa’s Express FC in the Ugandan Super League.The duo are among four professional players named in Tardy’s squad for the first leg match set for April 21 at Sam Nujoma stadium in Windhoek.Other professional players named include France’s based Bon Fils Kabanda, who features for Nancy FC and Charles Mwesigye Tibigana, who plays for Uganda’s Proline Fc.Meanwhile, Belgium’s Jean Marie Vianney was supposed to join the squad but his journey was cut short after he suffered a rib injury in Marines’ league encounter on Saturday.Unveiling his squad over the weekend, Tardy is optimistic the professional players summoned would help fuel junior wasps’ quest to make an impressive performance in the continental youth tournament. Also in the list are promising youngsters who feature for top clubs in the Primus National Football League namely APR, Isonga, AS Kigali, Etincelles and Mukura respectively.The team leaves for Windhoek this Thursday aboard Rwandair. The return leg will take place in Kigali between May 4 and 6.The junior wasps’ team which is mainly comprised of players, who featured in the U-17 World Cup finals in Mexico last year, is hoping to eliminate Namibia and qualify for the finals tournament to be held in Algiers, Algeria next year. Should the Junior Wasps maneuver their way past Namibia, the task ahead looks even tougher as they face a potential second round clash with West African giants, Mali in July.The top four teams in the Algeria finals will qualify for the finals of the World Cup Under-20 Championship scheduled for June, next year in Turkey.Junior Wasps team:Goal Keepers: Olivier Kwizera, Steven Ntalibi and Marcel NzaroraDefenders: Hamdan Bariyanga, Michel Rusheshangoga, Faustin Usengimana, Salomon Nirisarike, Francois Hakizimana, Patrick Umwungeli, Emery Bayisenge, Midfielders: Eric Nsabimana, Robert Ndatimana, Tumaine Ntamuhanga, Heritier Turastinze, Hamidou Ndayisaba, Bonfils Kabanda, Bonny Bayingana, Amran Nshimiyimana, Charles Mwesigye TibinganaStrikers: Saifi Farouk Ruhinda, Kipson Atuheire, Emmanuel Sebanani and Patrick Sibomana.

Sports

Tardy names strong squad for Namibia duel