Three professional youngsters have been added to the national U20 squad, which will compete in this year’s Francophone Games scheduled for September 6–15 in Nice, France.The trio includes; Arsenal reserve team’s 18-year old forward Martin Alfred Mugabo, defender Jean Marie Rusingizandekwe, who plays for Belgium’s Marines and Nancy midfielder Bonfils Kabanda.According to the team’s French coach, who is also the national technical director, Richard Tardy, the trio will link up with the rest of the squad on August 22 in France.“We have started training with a few players and we plan to enter residential camp in August here before we travel to France on August 22 where we will continue our preparations,” said Tardy, who led Rwanda to the 2011 Fifa U17 World Cup held in Mexico.Tardy is planning to play two warm-up matches against French second division teams from Nice and Cane and Roche Ville before the tournament.Rwanda will be making her debut in the football competition and is in Group D along with Congo Brazzaville, Canada and the hosts France.Rwanda will also field competitors in other sports disciplines – such as athletics, swimming boxing and cultural events.The host city of Nice will bring together more than 3,000 participants from five continents competing in sporting and cultural events.
