International friendly match - October 14 Rwanda Vs Tanzania 18:00

CHAN 2020 Qualifier - Return Leg, October 19 Rwanda Vs Ethiopia 15:00

Midfielders Yannick Mukunzi and Djihad Bizimana will not be available for Rwanda’s friendly match against Tanzania at Kigali Stadium on October 14, Sunday Sport understands.

Bizimana, who features for Waasland Beveren in Belgium top tier, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Mukunzi – a player with Swedish side Sandvikens IF – is nursing a knee injury.

The game between Rwanda and Tanzania will be staged as part of the FIFA window of international friendlies and will be pivotal for both sides as they prepare for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers that start next month.

In the AFCON 2021 qualifiers, Amavubi have been placed in Group F alongside the hosts Cameroon, Mozambique and Cape Verde whereas Tanzania are part of Group J with Tunisia, Libya and Equatorial Guinea.

However, the friendly tie will also test Coach Vincent Mashami and his players ahead of their return leg against Ethiopia in the final round of the African Nations Championships (AFCON) qualifiers.

Hosting the game at Kigali Stadium on October 19, Amavubi will take on the Walias of Ethiopia with a 1-0 advantage from the first-leg held at Mekelle Stadium last month.  

A draw will be enough for Rwanda to secure a third consecutive appearance – and fourth overall – in the continent’s second-biggest football tournament.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com