Tetteh keeps faith in Baby

Mafisango also summoned for Burundi qualifier June 5Burundi vs Rwanda AS CANNES striker Elias Uzamukunda a.k.a Baby has another chance to cement his place in the Amavubi squad after making Sellas Tetteh’s provisional squad for next month’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup Group H return leg against Burundi. The June 5 qualifier will be played in Bujumbura. After years on the sidelines, Baby had an eventful return to the team when he scored in Rwanda’s 3-1 first leg win at Kigali Regional Stadium. The other professional who has made the pre-selected squad is former Amavubi skipper Patrick Mafisango who recently crossed from Azam to Simba. The national team head into camp May 22, a day after the Peace Cup quarter-finals. Tetteh however has to find a replacement for the in-form APR midfielder Jean Claude Iranzi. Iranzi is ruled out of the return leg after accumulating back to back yellow cards. In the first leg, the 19-year-old scored the opener before further strikes from Baby and Eric Gasana. Reacting to the suspension, Tetteh said, “Iranzi’s performance in the first leg was incredible so his absence is definitely a big blow to the team.” “He has improved so much this season. He has become a very important player not just for APR but for the national team as well,” the Ghanaian added. A win for Amavubi coupled with a loss for Benin (against Ivory Coast) will take Rwanda into second place with six points, six adrift of Ivory Coast and two above Benin. Currently Burundi is at the bottom with a point. The African tournament will be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Amavubi Squad: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Jean Claude Ndoli, Patrick Rutayisire, Evariste Mutuyimana, Eric Gasana, Abouba Sibomana, Ismail Nshutiyamagara, Donatien Tuyizere, Aloua Gaseruka, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Hussein Sibomana, Peter Kagabo, Haruna Niyonzima, Hegman Ngomirakiza, Eric Serugaba, Jacques Tuyisenge, Kipson Atuheire, Abed Saidi Makasi, Adolphe Hakundukize, Fabrice Dusingizimana,Jean de Dieu Uwineza, Elias Uzamukunda, Mutesa Mafisango. Ends

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Tetteh keeps faith in Baby