Rwanda national team quietly left the country for Conakry on Monday where they will play Guinea in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, October 12 at Stade du 28 Septembre.
The 23-man squad under Coach Mashami Vincent jetted out aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight this afternoon from Kigali International Airport en route to Addis Ababa before connecting to Conakry.
SC Simba of Tanzania forward Meddia Kagere and teammate Haruna Niyonzima as well Jacques Tuyisenge of Kenya’s Gor Mahia are among the key players who traveled with the team.
The Belgium-based duo of Salomon Nirisarike and Djihad Bizimana will also depart from Brussels tonight to link up with the Amavubi squad in Conakry on Tuesday.
Coach Mashami said before departure: “We are facing a tough away game but we have prepared on all fronts to stage to earn a positive result and my players are up to the task.”
“Our aim is to get back on track for a place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and a positive away result will increase our qualification hopes.”
The return leg between the two teams will be played next Tuesday at Stade de Kigali.
Rwanda is in Group H with Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Central Africa and Guinea.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kwizera Olivier (Free State Stars, South Africa) and Kimenyi Yves (APR FC)
Defenders: Nirisarike Salomon (AFC Tubize, Belgium), Rwatubyaye Abdoul (Rayon Sports FC), Rugwiro Herve (APR FC), Manzi Thierry (Rayon Sports FC), Fitina Ombolenga (APR FC), Imanishimwe Emmanuel (APR FC), Eric Rutanga (Rayon Sports FC) and Rusheshangoga Michel (APR FC).
Midfielders: Mugiraneza Jean Baptiste (APR FC), Mukunzi Yannick (Rayon Sports FC), Muhire Kevin (Rayon Sports FC), Bizimana Djihad (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Haruna Niyonzima (SC Simba, Tanzania), Manishimwe Djabel (Rayon Sports FC), Buteera Andrew (APR FC), Niyonzima Ally (AS Kigali), Iranzi Jean Claude (APR FC).
Forwards: Kagere Meddie (SC Simba, Tanzania), Tuyisenge Jacques (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hakizimana Muhadjiri (APR FC) and Usengimana Dany (Tersana SC, Egypt).
