Amavubi lines up Burundi friendly

AFTER failure to secure friendly match against Uganda Cranes this month, Amavubi will face ‘Intamba ku Rugamba’ from Burundi in mid November according to head coach Eric Nshimiyimana.

Late last month, Rwanda requested a friendly match against Uganda Cranes as part of honouring the return leg against Cranes following their February 6 Fifa international match which was played in Kigali.

However, no positive response was given from Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic team to honour the friendly tie.

Nshimiyimana said on Friday, “We had requested friendly matches from Uganda, Kenya and Burundi. But we have now agreed with Burundi to ensure that we can play a match in mid November as a preparatory match for Cecafa Challenge Cup as well as qualifiers for 2015 Africa Nations’ Cup,”

The friendly match will give Nshimiyimana an opportunity to identify his team for the Cecafa Challenge Cup scheduled to be held in Kenya from November 28 to December 12.

Having been edged out of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Rwanda will be looking forward to doing better in the regional tournament where they reached the quarter final last year in Kampala.

Burundi will be using the Cecafa tournament as a bridge to prepare their team for next year’s CHAN finals due in South Africa.

On the other hand, Rwanda will use the regional tournament to prepare a strong youthful squad which can make amends in next year’s continental qualifiers after a poor 2014 campaign.

However, Nshimiyimana is on verge to go further the 2009 edition where he helped Amavubi finish runner-ups to Uganda after a 3-1 loss.

Amavubi lines up Burundi friendly