Five players who should form core of Rwanda U-23 team

The national U-23 team will lock horns with Libya over two legs for a place in 2023 Africa nations tourney (AFCON) slated for Algeria. The Rwandan team will travel to face the North Africans at the Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman on September 22nd with the return leg scheduled for the Huye Sports Stadium on September 27th barring any changes. Rwanda will be hoping to make it to the continental soccer fiesta for the first time in history as they eye a place in the 2024 Olympic Games in France. Times Sport recently published a list of ten foreign players who could make up the squad and we now focus on six local players who should be the core of the team Lague Byiringiro A fully-fledged Rwandan international at senior level, the 21-year-old forward is among Rwanda's brightest young prospects. Lague has seen it all on the African continent having featured in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup games for his club APR FC. His experience will be useful to the success of the team. Anicet Ishimwe One of the most skilful players you will find in Rwanda’s local league, Ishimwe is in a class of his own and can help the team. Despite not being regular for APR, he always makes his mark anytime he gets his chance to feature for the national side. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is a game changer who can change the phase of a game with just one moment of brilliance. Pierre Ishimwe Arguably the safest pair of hands in the Rwandan league, Ishimwe was instrumental as APR won the league last season. The 20-year-old shot stopper has proved his quality already at club level which has helped him to get a number of senior national team call ups. He will certainly be on top of his game if he is called to be in the post for the U-23 team. Bonheur Mugisha A tireless central midfielder, Mugisha has already been capped by the Amavubi at senior level. The 22-year-old talent is a complete midfield enforcer who breaks up play, tackles and also starts attack. The APR midfielder will be crucial in the centre of the pitch for the Rwanda U-23 team. Keddy Nsanzimfura The talented midfielder became the youngest Rwandan player ever to score in the CAF Champions League when he netted for APR FC in a 3-1 defeat to Gor Mahia in Kenya on May 12, 2022 at the age of 17. He has been tagged as the future of Rwandan football with former Cameroon U-17 coach Thomas Libih describing him as the future of Rwandan football following his exploits against his team in an AFCON U-17 tournament in Kigali in 2019. Although he hardly gets adequate playing time at club level, the 19-year-old midfielder always delivers when called upon. Ramadan Niyibizi The versatile forward is gradually carving a niche for himself at AS Kigali as he was very efficient for them last season both in the domestic league and the Peace Cup. The 22-year-old attacker has already featured for the national team during the CHAN qualifiers this year and will definitely use the experience he has gathered to help the U-23 side.