Amavubi friendlies officially confirmed

International matches May 23    Libya    vs Rwanda May 27    Tunisia     vs Rwanda June 2    Algeria     vs.Rwanda June 10    Rwanda vs Benin

Sunday, April 22, 2012
Amavubi Stars will play FIFA international friendly matches for the first time in seven years. The Sunday Times / T. Kisambira.

International matchesMay 23    Libya    vs RwandaMay 27    Tunisia     vs RwandaJune 2    Algeria     vs.RwandaJune 10    Rwanda vs Benin2013 Afcon qualifier, 2nd legJune 16    Nigeria     vs RwandaFor the first time in seven years, Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars will play international friendly matches, the national football federation, Ferwafa has confirmed.The last time Rwanda played a Fifa international match was way back in 2007 under German-born tactician Michael Nees were Rwanda played a 1-all draw against Uganda Cranes in Kigali.The Ferwafa secretary general Michel Gasingwa confirmed in a press release on Friday evening that Amavubi will face Libya and Tunisia in late May away in Tunis."Amavubi will play the first FIFA international friendly match against Libya on May 23 in Tunis, Tunisia while the second international friendly match will be played against Tunisia four days later in Tunis,” said Gasingwa.He noted that both Tunisia and Libya have so far officially confirmed their interest of playing against Amavubi.The two matches will be played during Amavubi’s training camp which will be staged in Hammam Bourghiba, North-West of Tunisia between 21/05/2012 and 31/05/2012.Amavubi head coach Milutin Sredojovic Micho and his team will start preparations on May 16 but will name the 30-man squad for the upcoming matches on May 14 in Kigali.The friendly matches were confirmed after a lengthy meeting between Ferwafa and Ministry of Sports and Culture officials held on Friday and final touches are being done to ensure that all the details are in place ahead of the start of the training camp.The month of June will keep fans and the players busy as there are three matches on the card. Rwanda is pooled in Group H for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers alongside group favorites Algeria, Benin and Mali.On June 2, Rwanda will play away to Algeria in Algiers before hosting Benin in Kigali eight days later for the June 10th Group H fixture.On June 16, Rwanda will head to Abuja for the return leg fixture against Nigeria. A win or a draw of goal would see Rwanda through to the final round of the qualifiers for the 2013 Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.Following a goalless draw in Kigali, Amavubi will play away to Nigeria in Abuja in the second leg on June 20.Both Rwanda and Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the last African Cup of Nations, are eager to make amends in next year’s edition in South Africa.Rwanda qualified for the 2014 World cup qualifiers group stages after a comprehensive 3-1 return leg victory over Eritrea.