Europe-based pros set for Rwanda tour

Fifteen European based players are coming to Rwanda, this week, for a series of friendly matches aimed at reinforcing the Amavubi team ahead of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria scheduled for February 29. The development was confirmed over the weekend by the Ferwafa CEO Michel Gasingwa. Gasingwa said: “The aim of this tour is to help the Amavubi technical staff select players who can reinforce the national team for next year’s qualifiers.” “They will play some friendly matches against local clubs as well as the Amavubi team made up of local players on their week-stint in Rwanda,” Gasingwa was quoted saying on ferwafa.com. The players were selected by former Amavubi skipper and now a Fifa agent Desire Mbonabucya last month. Belgium based striker Henri Munyaneza, who last donned Amavubi jersey in 2008 is part of the squad which has also two junior players, Bon Fils Kabanda and Jean Marie Rusingizandekwe, who featured in the Fifa U-17 World Cup held in Mexico mid this year. Rwanda host Nigeria in the first leg on February 29, before Milutin Micho and his team fly to Abuja for the return leg on the weekend of June 15-17. Five years ago, Rwanda stopped the Super Eagles from qualifying for the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany after holding the star-studded side to a 1-all draw in Kigali. Nigeria had Obafemi Martins to thank for a late equalizer after Jimmy Gatete’s first half strike. The preliminary phase of the qualifiers will start with countries which failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup which kicks off January 21 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Fifteen countries that make it through the preliminary round will be drawn against fifteen teams from the 2012 tournament. South Africa qualifies automatically as the host nation, after taking over from Libya, who will now organize the 2017 competition. All 16 teams who will compete in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon 2012 get a bye to the final round of qualifiers. Europe-based Squad: Henri Munyaneza (White Star, Bel), Christian Ndolimana (White Star, Bel), Eric Ndagano (Fc Lierse), Jean M. Rusingizandekwe (Marine), Victor B (Marine Fc), Cedrik Ciza (Vise Fc), Junior Ndagano (Tournout Fc), Thierry Nenda Kamana (Courtrai Fc), Diallo Yacouba Kagabo (Courtrai Fc), Jessy Reindorf (Bologne Fc), Michael Rusabana (Walhain Fc, Bel), Kabanda Bon Fils (As Nancy-Lorraine, Fra), Didier Ndagano (Tournaout Fc), Steven Bedefroid (Charleroi Fc) and Richard Bahalira V.V.(Baronie Holland). Ends

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Europe-based pros set for Rwanda tour