Amavubi head coach Johnathan McKinstry has named six foreign based players to the 26-man squad for the upcoming 2017 Afcon qualifier double header against Mauritius.
The first leg will be held on Saturday, 26 March 2016 at Anjalay Stadium in Belle-Vue and the return leg three days later in Kigali. The Irish man has also opted to retain most of the locally based players who played in the recently concluded Chan Championships that were hosted in Rwanda.
“Following the good performances in CHAN, many of the stand-out performers from the tournament have retained their places in the squad. In addition to this we have added a number of other players who have showed good form since the resumption of the Azam Rwanda Premier League,” the Irish man remarked just after releasing the squad.
“We also welcome back our players based abroad in leagues around Africa and Europe, and I am looking forward to the high level of competition we expect to have in camp.”
Foreign legion
Among the six foreign-based players include defensive duo of Abouba Sibomana and Belgium based Salomon Nirisarike, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and Haruna Niyonzima both from Tanzania premier league.
Newly signed Gor Mahia FC striker Jacques Tuyisenge is perhaps the most notable miss in the squad. The player has been out of action since joining the Kenyan champions due to injury.
“Looking at the games against Mauritius, we expect two tough encounters. Make no mistake about it; Mauritius will fight for every ball over the two games. In 2015 they gained credible draws against both Togo and Burundi, whilst also claiming victories against the Seychelles and a very talented Mozambique team,” McKinstry summed up.
The Amavubi are expected to assemble on Saturday 19th and thereafter commence training on Sunday before departing to Mauritius on Thursday aboard a chartered flight.
Rwanda are in group H alongside table leaders Ghana who have six points from two games. The Amavubi are second with three points earned after beating Mozambique away through Ernest Sugira’s late header.
Rwanda Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Olivier Kwizera (APR Fc), Marcel Nzarora (Police Fc) and Andre Mazimpaka (Mukura VS)
Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR Fc), Fitina Omborenga (SC Kiyovu), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura VS), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Soter Kayumba (AS Kigali), Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR Fc), Emery Bayisenge (APR Fc) and Salomon Nirisarike (ST Truiden)
Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (APR Fc), Djihad Bizimana (APR Fc), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam Fc, Tanzania), Amran Nshimiyimana (Police Fc), Haruna Niyonzima (Young Africans, Tanzania), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon Sports), Innocent Habyarimana (Police Fc), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR Fc), Yussufu Habimana (Mukura VS) and Muhadjiri Hakizimana (Mukura VS)
Forwards:Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Quentin Kwame Rushenguziminega (Laussane Sport, Swiss), Elias Uzamukunda (Le Mans, France) and Dany Usengimana (Police Fc).