Kondogbia (in Blue) seen against Cote d’Ivoire will captain CAR team in their qualifier against Rwanda due on Sunday at Stade Huye.
The Wild Beasts (Les Fauves) of Central African Republic arrive in the country this evening as they seek to snatch an away vital result against Rwanda when both nations lock horns in the match day five of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Rwanda hosts Central African Republic in match day five of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ Qualifier on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Stade Huye in Huye District.
Central African Republic side managed by Swiss Raoul Savoy arrives in two batches aboard commercial flights on Monday evening and another one on Tuesday afternoon according to Rwanda Football Federation.
Skipper and La Liga’s Valencia CF solid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia leads the star-side and will be playing his second international match for the Wild Beasts after switching allegiances from France. His first call-up was Central African Republic’s 4-0 African Nations Cup qualifying defeat to Ivory Coast last month.
Kondogbia had represented the World Cup winners at junior and senior level – but had never made any competitive appearances for Les Bleus.
Born in France to parents from CAR, the 25-year-old thought it would be worth a shot to play for the national team.
However, the closest he came to playing a competitive match was in 2014 when he was an unused substitute in France’s World Cup 2014 qualifier against Belarus.
Fifa gave the all clear for the midfielder to switch his allegiances as his five appearances were friendlies and so he was still eligible. Kondogbia now joins his older brother Evan in representing Central African Republic.
In Kigali, the Wild Beats will be residing at Hill Top Hotel in Remera while their training sessions will be held at Stade de Kigali twice every day until Thursday.
They will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial centre to pay their respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi buried at the memorial before heading to their designated residential base in Huye District, Mater Boni Consilii Hotel.
They will hold two training sessions at Stade Huye on Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon respectively ahead of Sunday’s game.
After four matches, CAR is placed third in Group H standings with four points while Rwanda is placed bottom of the group with only one point, nine points behind leaders Guinea who are followed by former African champions Cote d’Ivoire who sit second on the log with seven points.
Central African Republic Delegation:
Players: Keita Salif, Anzite Franklin, Samolah Prince Junior, Samolah Elvis, Ban Thibaut, Toropite Tresor, Dimokoyen Saintfort, Dertin Amores, Ndobe Sadock, Ngam-Ngam St Cyr, Zimbori Nicaise, Enza-Yamissi Eloge, Nimani Frederic, Madibe Vivien, Kethevoama Foxi, Habibou Habib, Kondogbia Geoffrey, Lembet Geoffrey, Ngakoutou Quentin, Manga David, Mafouta Louis, Youga Amos, Yambere Cedric
Staff:
Savoy Raoul (Head Coach), Kongo Willy (Manager), Mokopete Guy Marc (Head of Delegation), Lougoundji Herve (Assistant Coach), Bingo Jean-Louis (Goalkeeper coach), Guitinzia Romain (Doctor), Manda-Ngombe Sylvere (Kine), Dimanche Maurice (Kit Manager), Wambombo Fridolin (Media Officer), Kondogbia Basile (Dirigeant), Lasfargues Daniel (Kine).
