2019 AFCON Qualifiers

Group H October 12 Guinea Vs Rwanda

October 16 Rwanda Vs Guinea

The national football team head coach, Vincent Mashami, is confident that Amavubi can still quality for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations despite their sloppy start to group stage campaign.

Amavubi are at the bottom of Group H, without a single point, after two match rounds.

On the other hand, Guinea, whom Amavubi face next month in their next two group games, top the table standings with a maximum six points. Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic (CAR) are second and third, respectively, with three points apiece.

Following Wednesday’s announcement of a 27-man provisional squad to face Guinea, Mashami has urged his players to take the two games against the West African side as a must-win if they are to stand a chance of securing a spot in next year’s AFCON finals in Cameroon.

"We have retained the majority of the squad that played against Côte d’Ivoire, and I believe that the players we have called will accomplish our mission of earning crucial victories in our remaining group matches, starting with the two fixtures against Guinea,” said Mashami.

The Syli Nationale of Guinea will host Amavubi in the first-leg on October 12 at Stade du 28 Septembre, in Conakry, before the latter host the return-leg at Kigali Stadium on October 16.

The former APR coach has only brought in three new names on the team including; Rayon Sports’ goalkeeper Abouba Bashunga and midfielder Djabel Manishimwe as well as striker Jacques Tuyisenge of Kenyan giants Gor Mahia. The striker missed the Ivory Coast clast due to an ankle injury he sustained while representing his club in Caf Confederation Cup.

"Qualifying for the Afcon is still possible for us, but, that chance will be boosted or shattered by the two Guinea ties, which is why I have appealed to my players to fight for maximum points. We will have a steep mountain to climb, but we are determined to climb it,” he noted.

The former APR and Bugesera FC tactician further explained that Bashunga and Manishimwe have worked hard in the last few weeks to earn a place on the national team.

The provisional squad will report to residential camp on Sunday before starting intensive preparations from Monday till October 8 when the team will depart for Guinea.

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