ARSENAL club reserve team midfielder Alfred Martins Mugabo has said he is glad to be joining Amavubi team. The 18-year-old will be making his maiden appearance for Amavubi on Sunday when Rwanda hosts Algeria in a Group H 2014 World Cup qualifier at Amahoro stadium. He said, “I feel good, it’s the first time to be in the country after such a long time. It’s good to come back to Rwanda and hopefully represent them in the weekend game,” he said. Mugabo said he’s happy to be back to see how the country has progressed after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.” “My first reaction when I heard that I was called to Amavubi senior team, it was a shock because at such young age, I didn’t expect to be called up, but I grabbed the opportunity and I think it’s a really good chance to show what I can do for my country and hopefuly I would be given a chance.” Mugabo added, “I have been in Arsenal for five years and I have just signed my new contract. It’s going really good and the coaches are good. I have come up to the Under-21s-the reserve side and I just hope to take it far from there in the new season.” He said he interacts with many Arsenal players and they are really good friends and they do everything to encourage young stars to take a step towards becoming good players.” “Jack Wilshere is a very good role model, he has taught me a lot and he is a very good friend,”revealed Mugabo. The England international, who has been tipped for a big career, revealed his support for Mugabo on his twitter feed just a couple of months ago. The 18-year-old will be hoping to earn his first cap against the north African side but Amavubi coach Eric Nshimiyimana has given no guarantees for a starting place for the player that Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere says has a promising future. “He will need to impress in training, otherwise it is not a guarantee that he will start the match,” Nshimiyimana said. Although Amavubi are out of contention for the world cup, Nshimiyimana is keen for a win against Algeria in preparation for the Ethiopia match next month in the CHAN qualifiers.
