By Staff Reporter,
Rwanda coach Johnny McKinstry has named a 29-man provisional squad ahead of the first Afcon 2017 qualifier against Mozambique on the weekend of June 13-14 in Maputo.
After impressing in the recent CAF U-23 Championship/Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers, the teenage duo of Kevin Muhire and Dominique Savio Nshuti as well as Antoine Ndayishimiye have been included in the Amavubi squad with a chance to impress during this weekend’s Commemoration Cup that has attracted South Sudan, Tanzania and Kenya.
“We have included some new faces on the Amavubi provisional squad and they have a chance to prove themselves during the Commemoration Cup,” explained McKinstry.
France-based Elias Uzamukunda, who features for Ligue 2 side ASF Anderieux, and Gor Mahia’s Abouba Sibomana are expected to join residential camp on Monday following club commitments over the weekend for the latter.
Thirteen players from the U-23 side have been included in this squad and McKinstry revealed that this will help with consistency in regards to understanding the team shape.
The squad will have a recovery session on Thursday afternoon and will be joined by the 12 APR players later in the evening after their Peace Cup encounter against La Jeunesse.
Amavubi squad
Goalkeepers: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Olivier Kwizera (APR), Emery Mvuyekure (Police), Marcel Nzarora (Police).
Defenders: Emery Bayisenge (APR), Ismael Nshutiyamagara (APR), Faustin Usengimana (Rayon Sports), Herve Rugwiro (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Ombolenga (SC Kiyovu), Eric Rutanga (APR), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia).
Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (Rayon Sports), Robert Ndatimana (Rayon Sports), Haruna Niyonzima (Young Africans – Yanga), Kevin Muhire (Isonga), Andrew Buteera Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Jean Marie Safari (Gicumbi), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Isonga), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police), Bertrand Iradukunda (APR).
Forwards: Michel Ndahinduka (APR), Isaie Songa (AS Kigali), Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Antoine Ndayishimiye (Gicumbi), Elias Uzamukunda (ASF Anderieux).
Additional reporting