Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, has been dealt a blow as they will have to face Mozambique in Sunday’s ‘do or die’ AFCON qualifier without new boy Noe Uwimana who is out through injury.

The Philadelphia Union teenager left the national team’s camp on Friday, June 16, and returned to the United States for medical treatment after suffering a knock on his Achilles tendon during Wednesday’s training session.

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The 18-year-old versatile player was one of three new foreign-based players alongside Al Wahda's Patrick Mutsinzi and Burundi-based Danny Ndikumana who were handed maiden call-ups in the national team for the clash with the Mambas of Mozambique.

Uwimana was born in the United States to a Rwandan father and a Tunisian mother and he is eligible to feature for all three countries. Tunisia has been pushing to convince the youngster to play for his mother’s birth country but he accepted to play for Rwanda when Amavubi head Carlos Ferrer came calling.

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Ferrer was impressed by Uwimana’s performance and wanted to use him on Sunday and end Tunisia’s pursuit of the wonder kid.

His club didn’t want to risk him and had asked Rwanda to send him back to the United States for further medical treatment.

With or without the youngster, Rwanda needs a win in Sunday’s encounter at Huye Stadium if it is to ever grab a ticket to the 2023 AFCON finals due in January 2024, in Cote D'Ivoire. Rwanda is last in its group with just two points after four games. Mozambique who have four points from four games also need a win to guarantee their chances of making it to the upcoming AFCON.