Rwanda/Ethiopia: Amavubi Off to Addis for Cecafa

Rwanda national football team departed for Ethiopia last night aboard Ethiopian Airways ahead of the 38th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup slated for November 21- December 5 in Addis Ababa.

The two-week regional tournament will be held in two Ethiopian cities of Awassa and Bahir Dar. Johnny McKinstry’s Amavubi Stars begin their campaign in Group A against hosts Ethiopia on Saturday, while Burundi face Zanzibar in Group B on the same day.

After the disappointing two defeats in a space of just five days at hands of Libya, Amavubi had a couple of training sessions at Kigali Regional Stadium on Wednesday and Amahoro national stadium on Thursday before flying out to Ethiopia last night.

McKinstry has made three changes in the squad that lost 2-1 to Libya Tuesday; three new players have been called up after departures of a trio of professionals namely; center-back Salomon Nirisarike, full-back Abouba Sibomana and striker Quintin Rushenguziminega.

The three new faces, all making their debut in the national team include; Rayon Sports defender Fiston Munezero, Gicumbi FC left-back Ivan Senyange and Mukura Victory Sports forward Yussufu Habimana.

Rwanda is in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Tanzania and Somalia. After the opening game on Saturday, Amavubi’s next match will be against Tanzania on November 24 against Tanzania and wind up their group stage campaign three days later against Somalia.

The New Times

UM– USEKE.RW