Amavubi attacking midfielder Djabel Manishimwe was left delighted after being recalled to the national team squad which is preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifier games against Nigeria and Lesotho at Amahoro Stadium on March 21 and March 25 respectively. Manishimwe is among the returnees to the Amavubi 28-man provisional squad summoned by the newly appointed head coach Adel Amrouche. ALSO READ: Adel Amrouche named Rwanda head coach Mbungo keeps Womens team job The 26-year-old midfielder who plies his trade in Iraq arrived in Kigali on Sunday morning on-board Egyptian Airline (MS). “It was an honour for me when I was contacted by the coach to play for the national team again. I know I have a responsibility to repay the faith that the coach has put in me,” he said in a media interview. The team will embark on a training camp on Monday, March 17. Manishimwe’s last call-up was on June 11, 2024, when Amavubi defeated Lesotho 1-0 in South Africa. He referred to the World Cup qualifiers as a big competition in which he is honoured to participate. Amrouche’s first squad since his appointment as Amavubi coach earlier in March, comprises 15 foreign players and 13 local players. Rutsiro FC striker Yves Habimana was handed a debut call-up following his impressive in the league campaign, where he has scored eight goals and provided six assists so far this season. Rwanda leads Group C of the World Cup qualifiers with seven points after 4 games.
