The Junior Wasps technical team led by Yves Rwasamanzi who is assisted by Gatera Moussa and goal keeper coach Mugabo Alexis will meet on Sunday and Monday at FERWAFA turf to hold selection of players who will constitute the national team which will take part in next month’s qualifiers.
Rwanda is among regional countries which will tussle out for the available one CECAFA slot in the qualifiers of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rwanda is joined by hosts Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia and Sudan in group A while Group B has Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti.
The Cecafa regional qualifiers will kick off on 11th August and climax on Sunday, 26th August 2018 at the National stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking to Ferwafa.rw on Saturday, the FERWAFA General Secretary Uwayezu Francois Regis said, “Sixty players have been scouted from different academies and technical centers across the country. They will all converge at Ferwafa on Sunday to undergo a series of trials with the National Team Technical team,”
“Of the 60 players, 30 will be picked to undergo intensive preparations ahead of the tournament,” added Uwayezu.
For the first ever, the qualifiers for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations will for the first time be played on a zonal basis (regional), to determine the seven teams to join host Tanzania for next year’s final tournament.
The decision, one of the key elements among the resolutions of the first ever CAF African Football Symposium in July 2017 in Rabat (Morocco), was approved by the CAF Executive Committee.
The new format is expected to increase participation at the level of teams in the qualifiers, enhanced exposure and competitiveness by getting all involved.
Each of the six Zonal Unions (CECAFA, COSAFA, UNAF, UNIFFAC, WAFU A, WAFU B) will organise their regional qualifiers featuring teams from the zone. UEFA, through its UEFA ASSIST programme, is supporting the qualifiers.
From mid-July to September, the qualifiers will take off from Mauritius (COSAFA), through Equatorial Guinea (UNIFFAC), Tanzania (CECAFA), Tunisia (UNAF), Senegal (WAFU A) before terminating in Niger (WAFU B).
The winner of each zonal competition qualifies for the final tournament, with the exception of the zone of the previous winner, entitled to two slots.
Since Mali won the title in 2017, WAFU A will qualify two teams.
Meanwhile, all players selected for the tournament are expected to undergo mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to determine their eligibility to participate.
Rwanda U-17 Provisional Team: (60 players)
APR Academy: Ndikumana Avit, Iradukunda Axel, Iradukunda Anicet, Niwenshuti Steven, Ishimwe Jean Rene, Dusingizeturiho Patrick, Nitanga Emmanuel, Hagumubuzima Jean Claude, Gakwaya JMV and Kabanda Iradukunda Serge,
Isonga Academy: Kalisa Samuel, Mupenzi Ramazan, Mwebaze Yunusu, Niyonsenga Eric, Rutonesha Hesbon, Isingizwe Rodrigue, Munezero Olivier, Kazungu Clever, Mico Ndori Kevin, Tuyisenge Pacifique, Ishimwe Zaidu, Ruhumuriza Sugira Clovis, Hakizimana Adolphe and Sibomana Olivier
APAER: Mashaka Abdul, Nsabimana Deny, Ndagijimana Leandre and Bizumuremyi Radja
Heroes Academy: Byiringiro Gilbert, Cyubahiro Constantin and Rukundo Moses
The Winners: Niyonkuru Serge, Kwizera Jean de Dieu, Nshimiyimana Charles, Nshutiyase Cedric, Bisamaza Simeon and Bayingana Olivier
E. Science de Nyanza: Mayira Abouba
Mukura Academy: Komeza Fidel
GS Busasamana: Nkubito Enock
College Inyemeramihigo: Mutabazi James, Ishimwe Rodrigue and Ndayishimiye Serge
Rayon Sport Academy: Nizeyimana Bosco, Kaneza Roben
and Uzwinayo Jonas
Dream Team Academy: Nkurunziza Danny and Musana Arsene
EAV Kabutare: Mariza Innocent, Nsanzingomayijuru Adolphe, Hategikimana Felix and Ntihemuka Thierry
ES Nyamirama: Micomyiza Ramazan, Mutaganzwa Moses, Niwemukiza Felicien and Dusabimana Olivier
ES Rukara: Kiiza Constantine, Habumuremyi Janvier and Kirezi King Lionceau
GS Kansi: Maniriyo Emmanuel
Technical Staff: Rwasamanzi Yves (Head Coach), Gatera Moussa (Assistant coach), Mugabo Alexis (Goalkeeper coach), Turatsinze Emile (Doctor), Tuyishime Jean Claude (Physiotherapist), Rutayisire Jackson (Team Manager) and Tuyisenge Eric (Kit Manager)
CECAFA U-17 Zonal Qualification:
Group A: Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti
Fixtures:
Saturday, 11th August:
Rwanda vs Sudan – National Stadium
Tanzania vs Burundi – National Stadium