The Ministry of Sports and Culture has urged the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) to prepare a strong national team ahead of the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) that will be held in Rwanda.

According to the Director of Sports in Minispoc, Emmanuel Bugingo, Ferwafa should do everything to have a team capable of challenging the best on the continent.

"We are not only hosting the competition but we need to reach the final of the tournament, and this is something that will be demanded by every Rwandan.”

"We need to have a competitive team like the U-17 side in 2011 which got to the final of African U-17 Championships. Everyone was happy and we need to get that happiness again from the senior team. Yes they did not win the event but they tried to do so,” Bugingo said.

After the success of the Cycling team in the Tour du Rwanda which was won by a local cyclist for the first time, Bugingo wants Ferwafa to emulate such success.

"We need to see our team win this tournament like in the Tour du Rwanda.”

Rwanda has never played in CHAN.

On other hand Ferwafa through the spokesperson, Moussa Hakizimana said that they have submitted the budget of preparing the team to the ministry of sports and are awaiting a response.

"We requested for 15 friendly games as per the coach’s instructions,” Hakizimana said.Meanwhile the four stadiums (Amahoro, Nyamirambo, Rubavu and Huye) are expected to be rehabilitated to host the continental tournament. Bugingo said upgrading of the stadiums to host the Chan will start in December.