Nshimiyimana cautious ahead of Cranes test

International matchTodayUganda vs Rwanda 3pm Amavubi players will have to be at the top of their game to beat Uganda Cranes in an international friendly match today at the Mandela national stadium in Kampala, Uganda, Amavubi Stars coach Eric Nshimiyimana has cautioned.“We shall need a collective effort from all the players because Uganda Cranes is a very good team with more experienced players who have also played together for some time,” Nshimiyimana told Saturday Sport before the team’s departure. The team left for Kampala yesterday ahead of today’s clash. It is a return of the earlier friendly played in Kigali in February that ended in a 2-2 draw.“It’s a friendly but believe me, each team will be out to try and win. I think it is going to be an interesting match between two teams that love to outdo each other,” Nshimiyimana added. The former Amavubi midfielder, who was part of the team that beat Uganda 1-0 (thanks to Jimmy Gatete’s sole strike) in the infamous 2004 Nations Cup qualifier, said he would have a good idea of his starting team after the last training session which was still going on by press time yesterday. “We know, we are going to play with a good Ugandan side that has an excellent home record in Namboole, but we have to try to score goals and defend well too,” admitted the Amavubi coach.Nshiyimana will be up against his former boss, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic-the Uganda Cranes coach, who was sacked by the Rwandan FA in April this year following a poor run of results. Both teams are using the match as part of their preparations for the Cecafa Challenge Cup.Nshimiyimana said the game will help the Amavubi players to build their fitness and mental strength ahead of the Cecafa tournament,” he noted.“We are a team and we know that we have to work together if we want to achieve our objective to do well in the CECAFA and other competitions,” he explained. Squad: Goalies: Jean-Claude Ndori, Jean Luc Ndayishimiye.Defenders: Salomon Nirisaki, Emery Bayinsenge, Ngirishuti Mwemere, Obalenga Fitina, Ismail Nshutinamagara, Albert NgaboMidfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Mohamed Mushimiyimana, Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Claude Iranzi, Andrew Buteera, Fabrice Twagizimana and Hussein Ciza MugaboStrikers: Jimmy Mbaraga, Medie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge

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Nshimiyimana cautious ahead of Cranes test