Amavubi to face Bafana without APR players

Rwanda head coach Johnny McKinstry has revealed that no APR player will be part of the national football side that will face South Africa in an international friendly on July 25 in Johannesburg. The Irish tactician, while confirming the development to Times Sport, explained that the reason he will be without APR players is because the army side will be involved in the CECAFA Kagame Cup that kicks off on July 11-August 2 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. “The clash of dates with CECAFA obviously means that we will have another set of players since those with APR will not be available. This will be very worthwhile as it will help us to expand our pool of players through this game,” explained McKinstry. Eleven of the 18 players that travelled to face Mozambique earlier this month in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were APR players, a reflection of Amavubi’s dependence on the army side in the past two decades. Rwanda’s first choice goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli, who has just returned from a career threatening knee injury attained last July as well as third choice and recently first choice Olivier Kwizera are both APR players. Right back Michel Rusheshangoga and central defender Emery Bayisenge have played every Amavubi game when they have been fit since they graduated to the senior team after a remarkable journey to the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. Bayisenge has mostly partnered with fellow APR teammate Ismael Nshutiyamagara in national team colours and except for Rayon Sports’ Faustin Usengimana who returned to the Amavubi fold only a month ago after a two-year absence and Belgium-based Salomon Nirisarike, the other central defence substitutes are both APR players – Herve Rugwiro and Abdul Rwatubyaye. Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza is the number one choice holding midfielder and his APR teammate Yannick Mukunzi has been groomed to partner him while Andrew Buteera has enjoyed his fair share of being included in the starting XI as the creative midfielder. At left wing, APR’s Jean Claude Iranzi is the first choice option and his replacement Patrick Sibomana is also from the army side with striker Michel Ndahinduka dividing his time between the starting XI and the substitutes list. Rayon Sports trio of goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Usengimana and midfielder Djihad Bizimana, Police duo of midfielder Robert Ndatimana and forward Jacques Tuyisenge as well as Ernest Sugira and Isaie Songa of AS Kigali are some of the faces that McKinstry will rely on in the absence of APR players. editorial@newtimes.co.rw