Rwanda head coach Adel Amrouche again dropped Police FC forward Lague Byiringiro from his 27-man squad for the upcoming two World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Byiringiro has been showing signs of regaining form during the recently-concluded Inkera y’Abahizi tournament hosted by APR FC. He was, however, snubbed from the squad alongside the likes of APR FC defender Clement Niyigena Hakim Sahabo, who plays for Standard de Liège in the Belgian First Division and RAAL La Louvière midfielder Samuel Gueulette. Instead, the Belgian coach handed debut callups to seven players including Alex Nduwayo (APR), Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (Rayon Sports), Claude Smith Kayitaba (Bedford Town), Christian Mukudju (Elite Football Club), Aly Enzo Hamon (Angouleme CFC), Djabilu Ishimwe (Etincelles) and David Niyo (SC Kiyovu). Adel Amrouche’s side will visit Nigeria on September 6 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before traveling to Johannesburg to take on Zimbabwe on September 9 at Orlando Stadium. Rwanda currently sit second in Group C with eight points, level with Benin. They trail leaders South Africa, who top the group with 13 points. Nigeria follow in fourth place with seven points, while Lesotho and Zimbabwe follow with six points and five points respectively. Zimbabwe are at the bottom of the group. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Fiacre Ntwali (Kaizer Chiefs), Clement Buhake (Ull/Kisa) and Pierre Ishimwe (APR) Defenders: Alex Nduwayo (APR), Claude Niyomugabo (APR), Fitina Ombalenga (APR), Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (Rayon Sports), Ange Mutsinzi (Zira Futubul Clubu), Darrly Nganji Nkurikiyimana (Standard de Liege), Thierry Manzi (Al Ahly Tripoli) and Phanuel Kavita Mabaya (Birmingham). Midfielders: Djihadi Bizimana (Al Ahly Tripoli), Bonheur Mugisha (AL Masry), Bryan Clovis Ngwabije (Dieppe FC), Claude Smith Kayitaba (Bedford Town), Kevin Muhire (Jamus), and Christian Mukudju (Elite Football Club) Forwards: Gilbert Mugisha (APR), Aly Enzo Hamon (Angouleme CFC), Anicet Ishimwe (Olympique Beja), Arthur Gitego (FUS Rabat), Jojea Kwizera (Rhode Island), Innocent Nshuti ( ES Zarzis), Abeddy Biramahire (ES Setif), Djabilu Ishimwe (Etincelles) and David Niyo (SC Kiyovu)
