Rwanda assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana has said that they are looking into the details and performances of Rwandan players who are joining ‘Amavubi’ for the first time. Head coach Adel Amrouche summoned his 27-man squad for Rwanda friendlies against Algeria on June 5 and June 9. The squad includes three new players Aly Enzo Hamon, who features for Angouleme CFC in France, Darryl Nganji Nkulikiyimana of FCV Dender EH in Belgium, and Claude Smith Kayibanda of Lutton Town in England. The Europe-based young trio will be making debut appearances in the national team and Amrouche hopes to add fresh blood in his team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers in September. For Nshimiyimana, the two friendlies against Algeria are a good opportunity to assess new players. “This is a good time to assess players who are coming for the first time. If we have brought them into the squad, then it is because we think they will offer something more in the squad, or bring something new and different to what we have in the players we have. We believe that they will help us to move forward,” Nshimiyimana told Times Sport. ALSO READ: Adel Amrouche named Rwanda head coach, Mbungo keeps Women's team job Amavubi departed for Algeria on Friday with RwandAir through Doha, Qatar, before connecting with Qatari Airways to Constantine City, where they will play their two friendly matches. “They are new so we need to see what they have. These (friendly) matches are very important to all players, but especially for new players. I believe they are bringing a new challenge and I am sure they will help to bring something good going forward,” the former Rwanda defensive midfielder added. ALSO READ: Amrouche names three new players in squad for Algeria friendly While Amrouche is preparing his team for World Cup qualifiers, Algerian will be entirely relying on local players as the team prepares for the 2025 CHAN tournament which will take place in August 2025.
