Gatete itching to silence critics

RWANDA’S most celebrated striker Jimmy Gatete has vowed to pip down a regular starting place in Branko Tucak’s side. The 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers hero was among the provisional 26 man squad summoned to prepare for the third and final round of the 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers which get underway on March 28. The team will be trimmed to 18 players who will be facing Algeria in Kigali. “I am really delighted but this is not the end of the road. I have to work hard and also impress whoever thought about summoning me to the team,” “It will not be easy but I will fight for my place and see if I will make it to the final squad which will play against Algeria on March 28,” Gatete said. Gatete, 28, who earned the nickname ‘god of goals’ a couple of years ago by the local fans for his goal scoring prowess, is believed to be the most prolific striker Rwandan football has ever produced thanks to his eye for goal. He scored crucial goals during the 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifications which saw Rwanda reach her first ever Africa Nations Cup finals. The most celebrated goal in Rwandan history is most probably his goal against the Black Stars of Ghana in March 2003 which led to Rwanda’s 1-0 win and handed them their ticket to Tunis the following year. The Amavubi Stars has struggled to score goals without him but the striker’s off form problems which forced APR to part ways with him in 2007. Since joining APR’s bitterest rivals Rayon Sport for a second spell, the born-again striker has failed to impress national team coach Branko Tucak, who has not considered him for the 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifiers. Despite his vast experience and pedigree as the country’s best natural goal getter, the former Mukura loanee continues to be overlooked by Tucak and Shungu in favour of younger, less experienced and less prolific strikers like APR’s Elias Uzamukunda, AS-Kigali’s Papy Gasana and national league’s top scorer Jean Lomami . Gatete last appeared for the national team during the Amavubi CHAN game against Sudan in Khartoum early last year. Gatete will be joined by 26 other local based players and start training this afternoon at Ferwafa artificial turf stadium. The provisional team comprises of four goal keepers, ten defenders and nine midfielders and four strikers respectively. Rwanda is drawn alongside Algeria, Egypt and Zambia in Group C of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Having failed to qualify for the last two Nations Cup finals, Rwanda must finish inside the top three to qualify for Angola 2010 CAN finals. PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Jean Claude Ndoli(APR), Jean Luc Ndayishimiye(Atraco), Patrick Rutayisire(AS Kigali), Emery Mvuyekure(Electrogaz) Defenders: Ismail Nnshutiyamagara(Atraco), Bonaventure Hategekimana(Rayon), Aloua Gaseruka(Atraco), Elias Ntaganda Elias(APR),Aimable Rucogoza( Rayon), Donatien Tuyizere(Atraco), Jean Bosco Uwacu(APR), Albert Ngabo(Rayon), Arafat Serugendo(APR) and Marcel Lomami(Rayon) Midfielders:Eric Gasana (APR), Jean Mugiraneza(APR), Mutesa Mafisango(APR), Niyonzima Haruna, APR), Abdoul Uwimana(Rayon), Pekeyake Tuyisenge(Rayon), Djamar Mwiseneza(Rayon),Jean Pierre Hakiri(Rayon) and Yussuf Ndayishimiye(Rayon). Strikers: Kamana Bokota Labama (APR), Jean Lomami (Atraco), Elias Uzamukunda (APR) and Gatete Jimmy (Rayon). Ends

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Gatete itching to silence critics