Rwanda may miss qualifiers Vs Kenya

Rwanda may withdraw from the 2019 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to local football governing body, FERWAFA. Rwanda is supposed play against Kenya in a two-legged first round qualifier fixture with the first leg due to be played between March 30 and April 1 in Nairobi while the return leg is due between April 20-22 in Kigali.

Thursday, March 15, 2018
U20 Amavubi side during a past training session. (File photo)

Rwanda may withdraw from the 2019 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to local football governing body, FERWAFA.

Rwanda is supposed play against Kenya in a two-legged first round qualifier fixture with the first leg due to be played between March 30 and April 1 in Nairobi while the return leg is due between April 20-22 in Kigali.

The winner is set to face defending champions Zambia in the second round. The second round qualifiers are scheduled for May. 

The final qualifying round will be staged in July with the winners earning automatic slots to next year’s finals in Niger. However, the Amavubi squad have not yet even been named nor have the dates to start preparations been set.

FERWAFA president Vincent Nzamwita told Times Sport on Wednesday: "When CAF announced this competition, all countries that were interested were told to register, and Rwanda did.”

"We went ahead and wrote to the Ministry of Sports and Culture requesting for funds to facilitate the team’s preparations and for the two games, but until now we’re still waiting for a response,” he said.

Nzamwita, whose reign as Ferwafa boss is coming to end on March 31, added: "In the past, CAF used to announce upcoming competitions at least six months in advance. But in this case we saw the announcement from CAF just a month in advance.”

Rwanda hosted the 2009 U20 edition.

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