Eric Gasana better known as Mbuyu Twite has turned down Amavubi Stars call for next week’s international friendly match against Namibia as well the Cecafa Challenge Cup.
The team will be using the match as part of their preparations for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup which will be held in Kampala, Uganda from Nov 24to Dec. 8.
According to the team Manager Alfred Ngarambe, Mbuyu shunned the national team call and instead opted to use that ‘free’ period to take a holiday in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We called him and he said he will call back but when we called him again he said he will not be available for the friendly match against Namibia and the Cecafa tournament,” Ngarambe told Sunday Sport on Friday.
Asked if the former APR defender, who now plies his trade for Yanga Africans in the Tanzanian Premier League, will face any punishment for shunning national call, Ngarambe said that it will depend on head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic and the national football federation, Ferwafa.
“I don’t know but there are rules and regulations in national team which everyone must follow and abide by, but first we have to explore further why he said he will no be available for,” Ngarambe noted.
However, other professional players summoned will be available for the international friendly match and the Cecafa.
AS Cannes striker Elias Uzamukunda, Haruna Niyonzima, Emmanuel Godfroid Kuduma and Antwerp defender Salomon Nilisalike will be available for Micho’s squad.
Ngarambe said Uzamukunda will join the camp on Sunday (today), while skipper Niyonzima will link up his the team on Monday, two days before the game against Namibia’s Brave Warriors at Amahoro stadium.
Vietnam-based Steven Kunduma, 22, who made his debut for the national team this year and Antwerp based Nilisalike joined the camp on Saturday.
The team started training on Monday at Ferwafa turf with a host of young local players.
Friendly match Wednesday
Rwanda vs Namibia
Players in camp:
Goalkeepers: Jean Claude Ndoli (APR), Marcel Nzarora (Rayon Sport, Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (APR).
Defenders: Hamdan Bayiranga (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Frederick Ndaka (Police), Mwemere Ngirinshuti (AS Kigali), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Ismail Nshutiyamagara (APR), Fabrice Twagizimana (Police), Niyikiza Aimable (SC Kiyovu).
Midfielders: Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Tumaine Ntamuhanga (APR), Jean Damour Uwimana (Police), Imran Nshimiyimana (Police), Eric Nsabimana (APR), Djabir Mutarambirwa (SC Kiyovu), Farouk Ruhinda (APR), Iranzi Jean Claude (APR).
Strikers: Jerome Sina (Rayon Sport), Emmanuel Sebanani (Mukura), Barnabe Mubumbyi (APR), Gahonzire Olave (SC Kiyovu) and Jimmy Mbaraga (AS Kigali).