Silverbacks start hunt for Africa Bronze Cup glory
Wednesday, May 09, 2018
National rugby team during a match at FERWAFA ground. They will be up against the hosts Ghana today. Sam Ngendahimana.

Today

Rwanda Vs Ghana – 3pm

The national rugby team will be up against hosts Ghana today in the Africa Bronze Rugby Division C qualifiers as the Silverbacks start their hunt for promotion to Africa Silver Cup.

The four-nation tournament runs from Wednesday through May 12 in Gold Cape, Ghana. The other two countries in the contest are Lesotho and Mauritius.

Aime Claude Ezour’s Silverbacks face Ghana in the opening game this afternoon – at 3p.m.

Rwanda will be seeking to improve on their 2015 performance when they heavily lost 98-0 to Zambia and were consequently dropped to Division C from Division B.

Also today, there will be another match between Mauritius and Lesotho.

Winners from today’s games will meet in the final on May 12. 

Kamanzi named team captain

Meanwhile, Didier Kamanzi has been named Silverbacks captain, replacing veteran prop Vincent Kamali who will now serve as assistant captain.

The 25-man roster to Ghana is a blend of experience and fresh blood that include many uncapped players. 

Both newly named team captain Kamanzi and former skipper Kamali have featured for the national team since 2010.

Other vastly experienced players on the team include; Jean Leonard Twizeyimana, full-back Jean Hakizimana, winger  Donatien Ufitimfura, prop Abdoulkarim Ngango, lock David Bimenyimana, flanker Issa Gatera and dropper Janvier Bunani.

Some of the new names on the team, which left the country for Ghana on Tuesday, include in-form Hertier Habimana, Maridadi Murengezi, Michel Mugisha (Scrum half) and Prince Thiery Uwamahoro. 

They will all be playing in the Bronze Cup for the first time.

Full 25-man squad in Ghana

Hertier Habimana, Prince Uwamahoro, Leonard Twizeyimana, Jean Hakizimana, Gerald Niyoneza, Vincent Kamali, Donatien Ufitimfura,  Emmanuel Dushimana, Barnade Ngizwenayo, Charles Kayiranga, Jean Paul Hajali, Sharif Gasore, Patrick Korukwishaka and Janvier Bunani

Others include; Abdoulkarim Ngango, Issa Gatera, David Bimenyimana, Julien Nshimiyiman, Jean Hakizimana, Claude Mudaheranwa, Maridadi Murengezi, Michel Mugisha and Martin Rukundakuvuga

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