Paris 2024 Games: We are not afraid of Uganda, says Nyinawumuntu
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Amavubi women's team during a training session at Kigali Pele Stadium. Courtesy

Rwanda women head coach Grace Nyinawumuntu has said that she’s not afraid of any threat that rivals Uganda may pose on her team when the two countries face off in the upcoming Paris 2024 Games qualifiers.

Nyinawumuntu’s team start their quest for a qualification to the Olympic Games in Paris with a trip to Uganda for the first leg clash at St Mary’s Kitende on July 12 before playing the second leg at Huye Stadium a week later.

READ ALSO: Paris 2024 Games: Nyinawumuntu summons She-Amavubi squad to face Uganda

Rwanda women have not beaten Uganda over the past decade but the former AS Kigali coach believes that her ladies are can end that bad record.

"We didn’t win against them (Uganda) for over the past decade but this time I thing that we have whatever it takes to get past them,” Nyinawumuntu said.

Amavubi women's team during a training session at Kigali Pele Stadium on June 28. Courtesy

The She-Amavubi national team started a training camp on Wednesday, June 28, at La Palisse Nyamata and is training twice a day at Kigali Pele Stadium before flying to Uganda on July 9.

Prior to the duel, Nyinawumuntu said that she is preparing a team ready to battle any opponent no matter what.

"We hope that everything will go according to plan. The Ugandan national team is a difficult team but we’re not scared to face them,” she added.

AS Kigali and Rayon Sports women teams have the highest representation in the national team squad announced on Tuesday, June 20, with seven and six players respectively while Inyemera WFC and Bugesera WFC are the least represented teams with one player each.

The winner of the qualifier between Rwanda and Uganda will face Cameroon in the next round.

The next Olympic Games will take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024 where Rwanda's She-Amavubi will be looking to represent African in the women’s football competition for the first time ever in the country’s history.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Angeline Ndakimana, Diane Uwamahoro and Elisabeth Mutuyimana.

Defenders: Djamira Abimana, Jocelyne Mukantaganira, Lydia Uzayisenga, Safi Uwanyirigira, Louise Maniraguha, Andorsen Uwase, Providence Mukahirwa and Gloria Sifa Nibagwire.

Midfielders: Dorothee Mukeshimana, Illuminate Nzayituriki, Dudja Umwari Uwase, Leoncia Tugeriwacu, Zawadi Usanase, Alodie Kayitesi, Yvonne Umuhoza, Alice Kalimba and Angelique Umuhoza.

Forwards: Yvonne Dukuzumuremyi, Florence Imanizabayo, Delphine Irumva, Riberathe Nibagwire and Emerance Niyonshuti.

Head Coach: Grace Nyinawumuntu.

Women's team head coach Grace Nyinawumuntu gives instructions to her player during a training session at Kigali Pele Stadium. Courtesy