Amavubi coach ponders Haruna’s replacement

2014 World Cup qualifierSunday, Group HRwanda vs AlgeriaMali vs BeninAMAVUBI Stars head coach Eric Nshimiyimana is yet to make a choice among his midfielders to find a suitable replacement for assistant skipper Haruna Niyonzima, who is suspended for Sunday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.The Young Africans’ playmaker was sent off last weekend against Mali in Bamako after being booked for a second bookable offense for a bad challenge on Mahamadou N’Diaye.Niyonzima’s absence has left a huge gap to fill in the midfield for Nshimiyimana before the weekend clash against the Group H leaders, who won the corresponding fixture 4-0 in Algiers.Nshimiyimana and his assistants are working extra-hard to make improvements in the defensive line and midfield positioning.Rwanda has scored only three goals in four World Cup qualifying matches all goals coming from striker Meddie Kagere, who suffered a slight leg knock last Sunday in Bamako.The APR duo of Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza and Tumaine Ntamuhanga and AS Kigali Mouhamed Nshimiyimana are three players battling for the all-round role to replace Haruna.“We have good young midfielders, who I think can replace the (suspended Haruna) but they will need to convince the technical staff before a final decision is made,” Nshimiyimana told Times Sport yesterday.Striker Kagere and midfielder Michel Rusheshangoga are all fine and expected to be part of the squad for Sunday’s game at Amahoro National Stadium. Police midfielder Fabrice Twagizimana, who developed a fever last week has also been declared fit.With minimal chances, if any, at all of progressing to the third and final qualifying round, Rwanda is using the qualifying matches to prepare for the Africa Nations Championship [CHAN] whose qualifiers begin next month.

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Amavubi coach ponders Haruna’s replacement