MTN is considering supporting the national football team, the Amavubi Stars in the on-going 2010 World/Africa Nations’ Cup qualifying campaign.

MTN Rwanda Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Rugege said that they have plenty of plans to help in the development of football in the country and Amavubi Stars are part of their plans.

"We have been in talks with the Ferwafa over many issues, including the national team, and we believe we will reach an outstanding deal.

"We see all activities and consider priorities first and backing the Amavubi team is a process which is still under discussion,” Rugege said in response to whether MTN would consider putting their weight behind the national team.

The MTN Group, the South Africa-based multinational telecommunications company, is the main sponsors of the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament which will be staged in South Africa.

As the title sponsor of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations, the sponsorship of the Fifa World Cup was the next major step for MTN to take within its global football portfolio.

The MTN Group’s sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup affords the company the exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East as well as global marketing rights.

The Amavubi Stars were held to a goalless draw by Algeria in the opening 2010 World/Africa Nations’ Cup second qualifier last month in Kigali while Zambia played a 1-all draw away to Egypt in Cairo.

The draw left Group C qualification wide open as all countries are tied on one point each. Rwanda need to win the remaining matches to be granted qualification to both the 2010 World Cup finals and Africa Nations Cup finals in Angola or finish in the top three at worst to in Angola.

Once the deal is sealed, it will be the second time that MTN Rwanda is sponsoring the national team, having down it about four years ago but what led to them pulling put, remains a mystery.
 
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