Karekezi blasts Tetteh after snub

Group HSeptember 3Rwanda vs Ivory CoastBurundi vs Benin October 4Benin vs RwandaIvory Coast vs Burundi THE long standing feud between Amavubi coach Sellas Tetteh and former captain Olivier Karekezi has soured after the latter’s omission from the provisional 27-man squad preparing for next month’s crucial 2012 Africa Nations Cup return leg qualifier against Ivory Coast.

Thursday, August 04, 2011
OVERLOOKED: Olivier Karekezi. The New Times/File.

Group H
September 3
Rwanda vs Ivory Coast
Burundi vs Benin

October 4
Benin vs Rwanda
Ivory Coast vs Burundi

THE long standing feud between Amavubi coach Sellas Tetteh and former captain Olivier Karekezi has soured after the latter’s omission from the provisional 27-man squad preparing for next month’s crucial 2012 Africa Nations Cup return leg qualifier against Ivory Coast.

The Ghanaian overlooked the 28-year-old attacking midfielder/ striker, who has recently been linked with a return to Primus league champions APR, instead handing call-ups to the Junior Wasps pair of Andrew Buteera and Charles Tibingana.

Tetteh remained coy on the matter but a furious Karekezi told Times Sport that the Ghanaian coach is trying to get even after criticizing his coaching methods.

"Early this year, I made some observations about the coach and state of the national team. Since that time, I have not been in his good books. He made it clear in the build up to our last qualifier against Burundi,” Karekezi, who plays for Swedish second division side Östers IF, said.

Amavubi’s 2012 qualification hangs on a thin thread after three defeats; Ivory Coast (0-3), Benin (0-3) and Burundi (1-3) in four matches.

This means that Rwanda remains rooted at the bottom of Group H with three points, one adrift of Benin and Burundi. Ivory Coast tops the group with 12 points.

To qualify, Amavubi need to finish second or among the best three qualifiers in the eleven groups. This literally means they have to beat Ivory Coast and Benin, and hope that results in the other games (Burundi vs Benin and Ivory Coast vs Benin) go their way.

Ends