The U-18 national team has regrouped ahead of their preparation for the 2009 Nations Cup youth tournament which will be held in Rwanda. The youth team starts non-residential training at Amahoro stadium today. Twenty-five players who were short listed by Ferwafa are going to train for two weeks before enhancing their training abroad in Germany mid next month. The team’s assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana told Times Sport yesterday that, “We are starting training tomorrow (today) and this training will go until mid next month before selecting suitable players who will form a strong squad which will head to Germany for further training for three weeks.” Nshimiyimana added that the selected players follow in the age-bracket of 18 and under so that by 2009, they will be 20. The team, which was selected three weeks ago, is composed mainly of players from secondary school and second division clubs respectively. The team’s training camp in Germany is part of the Germany Football Association (DFB) technical assistance to Ferwafa ahead of the U-20 Can2009 to be held in Kigali. The training programme is meant to prepare the Rwandan team for the 2009 nation’s cup, as well as fine tune the nation for the South Africa 2010 world Cup. Michael Weiss, the Ferwafa technical director who also doubles as the team head coach was contracted four months ago to prepare the team through continental championship. The players are;Goal keepers; Patrick Rutayisire (AS Kigali), Eric Ndayiragije (AS Kigali), Patrick Mazimpaka (Aspor) Defenders; Jean Maniraguha(Cefotec), Egide Twizeyimana(Mukura), JMV Tuyisenge(Etincelles), Christian Twahirwa(ASS Kigali), Saidi Habimana(Jeunesse), William Ngenzi(AS Kigali), Annual Kibaya(College Inyemeramihigo), Aimable Rucogoza(Rayon Sport) Midfielders; Ibrahim Ntwali(G.S St. Joseph),Jimmy Habimana(Jeunesse), Saidi Habaguhirwa(Electrogaz), Jimmy Mwiseneza(Rayon Sport),Emmanuel Dusabe(College Inyemeramihigo), Patrick Kayihura(Aspej Rwamagana), Jean Baptista Mugiraneza(Kiyovu), Jacques Tuyisenge(Etincelles) Strikers; Michel Ndayishimiye(Mukura), Haruna Niyonzima(Rayon Sport), Eric Serugaba(Etincelles), Abouba Salum(Atraco), Alexis Kubanza(College Gisenyi) and Ally Nsengiyumvwa(Etoile de l’est).Ends
