The Rwanda Men’s senior team entered the camp today ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, Group F double qualifying ties against Cape Verde due next month.
Head coach Mashami Vincent has summoned a 37-man provisional squad made of 10 foreign-based players who include Kevin Monnet Paquet a forward for French Ligue 1 side St Etienne called up for the first time.
Others include skipper NIYONZIMA Haruna (Young SC), Nirisarike Salomon (Pyunik FC, Armenie), Niyonzima Ally (Azam FC, Tanzania), Muhire Kevin (Tela’Ea El Gaish, egypt), Bizimana Djihad (Waasland Beveren, Belgium), Kagere Meddie (Simba SC, Tanzania), Rwatubyaye Abdul (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC), Rubanguka Steve (A.E. Karaiskakis Football Club, Greece) and Mukunzi Yannick (Sandvikens IF, Sweden).
The AMAVUBI training camp starts on Friday 9th 2020 after a team of 23 local players underwent COVID-19 tests. The team will be camping at La Palisse Hotel, and will start intensive training in the morning and afternoon at the newly constructed Bugesera Stadium.
Rwanda Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kimenyi Yves (Kiyovu Sports Club), Kwizera Olivier (Rayon Sports FC), Ndayishimiye Eric (AS Kigali) and Rwabugiri Ndayisenga Omar (APR FC).
Defenders: Manzi Thierry (APR FC), Fitina Omborenga (APR FC), Imanishimwe Emmanuel (APR FC), Rutanga Eric (Police FC), Mutsinzi Ange (APR FC), Bayisenge Emery (AS Kigali), Rwatubyaye Abdul (Colorado Switchbacks FC, USA) and Nirisarike Salomon (Pyunik FC, Armenia), Rusheshangoga Michel (AS Kigali) and Rugwiro Hervé (Rayon Sports FC).
Midfielders: Niyonzima Haruna (Young SC, Tanzania), Niyonzima Ally (Azam FC, Tanzania), Niyonzima Olivier (APR FC), Nsabimana Eric (AS Kigali), Muhire Kevin (Tela’Ea El Gaish, Egypt), Bizimana Djihad (Waasland Beveren, Belgium), Manishimwe Djabel (APR FC), Mukunzi Yannick (Sandvikens IF, Sweden), Rubanguka Steve (A.E. Karaiskakis Football Club, Greece), Twizerimana Martin Fabrice (Police FC), Niyomugabo Claude (APR FC), Ngendahimana Eric (Kiyovu SC) and Nshuti Dominique Savio (Police FC).
Forwards: Mico Justin (Police FC), Kagere Meddie (Simba SC, Tanzania), Tuyisenge Jacques (APR FC), Hakizimana Muhadjiri (AS Kigali), Iyabivuze Osée (Police FC), Sibomana Patrick (Police FC, Sugira Erneste(APR FC), Bizimana Yannick (APR FC), Byiringiro Lague (APR FC) and Kevin Monnet Paquet (St Etienne, France).
Mashami Vincent, the AMAVUBI Hed Coach also put in place a list of 11 players who are on standby comprising of Usengimana Faustin (Police FC), Ndekwe Félix (AS Kigali), Iradukunda Eric (Police FC), Iradukunda Jean Bertrand (Gasogi United), Kalisa Rashid (AS Kigali), Usengimana Dany (APR FC), Nsabimana Aimable (Police FC), Iranzi Jean Claude (Aswan SC, Egypt), Mvuyekure Emery (Tusker FC, Kenya), Nshuti Innocent (APR FC) and Twizerimana Onesme (MUSANZE FC).
Rwanda last participated at the 2004 competition but got eliminated in the group stage after losing one match to Tunisia; drew one match against Guinea and defeated DR Congo.