Feb 6: International Friendlies:
Rwanda vs Uganda
Tanzania vs Cameroon
Libya vs Kenya
Uganda and Rwanda are great neighbours. President Paul Kagame is a regular visitor to the Pearl of Africa and so is Yoweri Kaguta to the land of hills. On the football arena, both sides are bitter rivals, and clashes between the two nations have been mouthwatering, epic, aldreneline moving and bloody to say the least.
Wednesday’s international friendily game between CECAFA record champions, Uganda and her southwestern neighours, Rwanda will not only be percieved merely as a build up game to the two nation’s forthcoming 2014 World Cup fixtures, but also as a ground to evoke memories of this fixture- a battle of settling the unresolved old scores.
Rwanda, ranked 54 places below the 81st CECAFA kings, have lined up a formidable squad including three professional players for this highy billed game at Amahoro Stadium.
Amavubi Stars coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic named a 22-man squad that includes three foreign based players in Mbuyu Twite and Haruna Niyonzima, who both play for Tanzania’s Yanga, and Jessy Reindorf (UN Namur-Belgium).
His partner in crime, Bobby Williamson named one foreign based player (Gor Mahia’s Dan Sserunkuma) and a crop of domestic players who play in the national league. The scot decided to grant maiden calls to on form KCCA defender, Fahad Kawooya, an U-17 graduate, Michael Birungi, Savio Kabugo, Sam Ssekitto and Ali Feni.
The two nations will use the buildup match to test their respective troops ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifers. Amavubi is placed bottom in Group H of the Brazil World Cup qualifiers and this game is aimed at preparing the team ahead of the March 22 clash against Mali.
On the same day, second-placed in Group J Uganda Cranes take on Liberia’s Lone Stars away in Monrovia.
Micho’s team, which will be skippered by Young Africa’s Haruna Niyonzima, have played three international friendly matches since last October. They played out a goalless draw away to Namibia in Windhoek and a 2-all draw in Kigali before falling to Angola 1-0 in Luanda in December.
Amavubi team:
Goal keepers: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye [APR], Jean Claude Ndoli [APR}, Emery Mvuyekure [AS Kigali]
Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga, Patrick Umwungeri [AS Kigali], Faustin Usengimana [Rayon Sport], Amani Uwiringiyimana [Police], Mbuyu Twite [Yanga], Solomon Nirisarike [Antweerp], Emery Bayisenge [APR], Heritier Turatsinze [APR], Freddy Ndaka [Police],
Midfielders: Jean Baptista Mugiraneza [APR], Tumaine Ntamuhanga [APR], Aphrodis Hategikimana [Rayon Sport], Fabrice Twagizimana [Police], Haruna Niyonzima [Yanga], Jean Claude Iranzi [APR], Papy Sibomana [Isonga]
Strikers: Jimmy Mbaraga [AS Kigali], Peter Kagabo [Police], Meddie Kagere [Police] and Jessy Reindorf [UN Namur]
Cranes squad:
Goalkeepers: Hamza Muwonge (Vipers), Abel Dhaira (Simba,Tz) & Ali Kimera (Victoria)
Defenders: Simeon Masaba (URA), Nicholas Wadada (Vipers), Savio Kabugo and Denis Guma (both Victoria), Fahad Kawooya and Habib Kavuma (both KCC) & Fred Kakooza (Simba)
Midfielders: Hassan Wasswa, Michael Birungi and Brian Majwega (All KCC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Mike Sserumaga (Proline), Joseph Mpande (Vipers), Sam Ssekitto (Simba) & Willy Kavuma (Express).
Strikers: Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza (Yanga, Tz), Daniel Sserunkuma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Brian Umony (Azam, Tz) & Ali Feni (URA)
