Mugabo, Sugira make Amavubi Stars team

SundayBenin vs Rwanda TuesdayAlgeria vs MaliPOLICE FC defender Gabriel Mugabo and APR striker Ernest Sugira have earned international call-up to the Amavubi squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Benin on Sunday.The pair made Eric Nshimiyimana’s final team for the final Group H clash in Porto Novo.Mugabo was first called up to the national team by former coach Milutin Micho Sredojovic for the 2011 Cecafa Challenge Cup in Tanzania but he never played a single game after falling sick and was transported back to Kigali.Two years later, the 23-year old centre back was summoned for the second time by Nshimiyimana for last month’s friendly match against Malawi.Although the hosts lost, his performance impressed the coach effectively earning himself a place on the team to face Benin.Sugira, a new signing for APR was brought into the Amavubi fold following Olivier Karekezi’s retirement last month.Other players, who will be making their debut in these qualifier, include Musanze defender Mohamed Mpozembizi and Police pair of Innocent Habyarimana and Jacques Tuyisenge.Meanwhile, Benin coach Omar Tchomogo took his team through Wednesday’s training without Anicet Adjamossi, Razack Omotoyossi, Mouri Ola Ogounbiyi and West Brom’s striker Stephane Sessegnon, who are expected to join the team on Friday.Notable absentees for Sunday’s qualifier include defender Emmanuel (Clermont, France) and first choice goalkeeper Fabien Farnolle who has been replaced by 21-year old Josiasse Sessou.The last game which pitted the two sides ended in a 1-all draw last year in Kigali.Algeria top Group H with 12 points and are through to the next round of the qualifiers, while second-placed Mali are four points adrift. Benin are placed third with five points and Rwanda bottom of the standings with two points.Amavubi squad:Goalkeepers: Evariste Mutuyimana and Emery MvuyekureDefenders: Ghad Niyonshuti, James Tubane, Salomon Nirisarike, Fabrice Twagizimana, Gabriel Mugabo, Abouba Sibomana, Mohamed Mpozembizi, Faustin Usengimana and Hamdan BariyangaMidfielders: Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Baptista Mugiraneza, Djamal Mwiseneza, Innocent Habyarimana, Aphrodis Hategikimana and Mouhamed Mushimiyimana,Strikers: Medie Kagere, Jacques Tuyisenge, Michel Ndahinduka, Emmanuel Sebanani, Jimmy Mbaraga and Ernest Sugira

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Mugabo, Sugira make Amavubi Stars team