Nov. 13

First leg

Libya vs Rwanda

Rwanda national football team will commence training Monday morning at Kantaoui Club in Sousse in Tunisia ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup second round qualifier against Libya set for November 13 at Stade Olympique de Sousse.

The 21-man Amavubi squad captained by Haruna Niyonzima, left Kigali in the wee hours of Sunday morning, were joined by the foreign-based duo of central defender Salomon Nirisarike (Sint Truiden, Belgium) and forward Quentin Rushenguziminega (Lausanne Sport, Switzerland).

Amavubi head into this fixture on the back of four consecutive wins and without scoring, all 1-0 losses to Ghana in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, two friendly games against Gabon and Burkina Faso for the CHAN team as well as against the Tunisia U-23 Olympic team.

However, Johnny McKinstry believes that his side has the potential to overcome the Mediterranean Knights in the second round tie.

“The important thing about the first game especially when you are away is to make sure that you are in a position to win it in the second game. We believe that if we play to our maximum, we can win in Tunisia but the most important thing is that we come back and go into the position on Tuesday to win the tie,” explained the Northern Irish trainer.

With four days to acclimatize to the tough weather conditions in Tunisia which have indicated towards thunderstorms on match day, McKinstry is confident that this will make a difference.

McKinstry mentioned that, “We are in Tunisia early. Normally, for an away game, we would travel maybe two days before the game but because it is such a long journey, there is no short way to get to North Africa. We need to get past them. We need to put in a performance.”

The return leg will be played on November 17 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The 20 winners from the second round will be divided into five groups of four teams and each group winner will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The draw will be done after the second round.

Amavubi squad:

Goalkeepers: Olivier Kwizera (APR), Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports) and Jean Claude Ndoli

Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (SC Kiyovu), Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Salomon Nirisarike (Sint Truiden, Belgium), Faustin Usengimana (APR) and Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR)

Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (Azam), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Djihad Bizimana (APR), Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga), Kevin Muhire (Rayon Sports), Hegman Ngomirakiza (Police), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon Sports) and Jacques Tuyisenge (Police)

Forwards: Quentin Rushenguziminega (Lausanne Sport), Isaie Songa (Police) and Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali).

Additional reporting by Times

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com