Amavubi centre back Manzi Thierry seen in training action is among the 23-Rwanda man team heading to Guinea for Friday’s match
The Rwanda team head coach Mashami Vincent has named a 23-man team which jets out to Conakry today to face Guinea in 2019 AFCON Group H Qualifier match set to be played on Friday, October 12 at Stade du 28 Septembre.
The return leg will be played next Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at Stade de Kigali.
The team composed of 23 players is led by skipper Haruna Niyonzima (SC Simba, Tanzania and team mate striker Kagere Meddie as well Jacques Tuyisenge (Kenya’s Gor Mahia) who returns to the squad after missing last month’s qualifier due to an ankle injury.
The Amavubi 33-man delegation jets out aboard Ethiopian Airways at 16:20. They will have a stop-over in Addis Ababa before connecting to Conakry. They are expected in Conakry on Tuesday morning, October 9, 2018.
The Belgium-based duo of Salomon Nirisarike and Djihad Bizimana will also depart from Brussels tonight to link up with the Amavubi squad in Conakry on Tuesday.
Speaking to KT Sports, Coach Mashami Vincent has expressed optimism that Amavubi will give a good account of themselves in pursuit for a second appearance at the continental showpiece.
“We are facing a tough away game but we have prepared on all fronts to stage to earn a positive result and my players are up to the task.”
“Our aim is to get back on track for a place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and a positive away result will our qualification hopes,” added Mashami.
Rwanda is in Group H with Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Central Africa and Guinea.
Guinea lead the group standings unbeaten with six points, three points ahead of joint second and third-placed teams Cote d’Ivoire and Central Africa Republic. Rwanda is placed bottom of the standings with no point after two match days.
Rwanda’s 23-man Final Squad to face Guinea
Goalkeepers: Kwizera Olivier (Free State Stars, South Africa) and Kimenyi Yves (APR FC)
Defenders: Nirisarike Salomon (AFC Tubize, Belgium), Rwatubyaye Abdoul (Rayon Sports FC), Rugwiro Herve (APR FC), Manzi Thierry (Rayon Sports FC), Fitina Ombolenga (APR FC), Imanishimwe Emmanuel (APR FC), Eric Rutanga (Rayon Sports FC) and Rusheshangoga Michel (APR FC).
Midfielders: Mugiraneza Jean Baptiste (APR FC), Mukunzi Yannick (Rayon Sports FC), Muhire Kevin (Rayon Sports FC), Bizimana Djihad (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Haruna Niyonzima (SC Simba, Tanzania), Manishimwe Djabel (Rayon Sports FC), Buteera Andrew (APR FC), Niyonzima Ally (AS Kigali), Iranzi Jean Claude (APR FC).
Forwards: Kagere Meddie (SC Simba, Tanzania), Tuyisenge Jacques (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hakizimana Muhadjiri (APR FC) and Usengimana Dany (Tersana SC, Egypt).
2019 AFCON Qualifiers
Group H Scheduled Matches
Friday, 12 October 2018
Guinea v Rwanda (Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry)
Ivory Coast v Central African Republic (Stade Bouaké, Bouaké)
Tuesday, 16 October 2018
Rwanda v Guinea (Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali)
Central African Republic v Ivory Coast (Barthélemy Boganda Stadium, Bangui)
