Coach Eric Nshimiyimana has called up 28 players, including two from Rayon Sports and a goalkeeper from APR FC, to begin preparations for the upcoming CECAFA U-20 tournament, which will take place next month in Tanzania.
Among the players on the provisional list, three play outside of Rwanda. These are Vicky Joseph Laurent Petry, who plays for Landvetter IS in Sweden, Musabyimana Thierry, who plays for ESM Gonfreville in France, and Kabera Justin Christian, who plays for Acheville Christian Academy in the United States.
All three of these players are forwards, and they will join their teammates, including APR FC goalkeeper Yvan Ruhamyankiko, Iradukunda Pascal, and Sindi Jesus from Rayon Sports, as well as Yangiriyeneza Erirohe, who plays for the Tonny Excellency Football Academy.
Other players who were considered include Mukundwa Taylan, who plays in Portugal but is injured, and two others who were not able to get the necessary documents to represent Rwanda.
Amavubi U-20 is in Group A, alongside familiar regional teams like Kenya, Tanzania (the host), and Sudan, which hosted a similar tournament in 2022 that Rwanda did not participate in.
Rwanda will start its campaign against Sudan on October 8, followed by a match against Kenya on October 10. The team will then face Tanzania on October 13 and finish the group stage against Djibouti on October 15.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The teams that reach the final will qualify to represent the region in the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Called-up Players:
Goalkeepers:
– HABINEZA Fils Francois
– IRADUKUNDA Moria
– RUHAMYANKIKO Yvan
Defenders:
– HIRWA Thierry
– KAYIRANGA Fabrice
– NIYITANGA Sharif
– GATETE Jimmy
– IRANZI Cedric
– NSHUTI Sam
– KANAMUGIRE Arsene
– MASABO Samy
Midfielders:
– BYIRINGIRO Thierry
– NIBISIGAYIZABIKORA Elysee
– NIYONGABO Emmanuel
– SIBOMANA Sultan Bobo
– TABOU Tegra Crespo
– IRADUKUNDA Pascal
– MUHOZA Daniel
– YANGIRIYENEZA Erirohe
– TINYIMANA Elissa
– UWINEZA Rene
Forwards:
– KUBWAYO Emile Bodue
– BAYINGANA Shimwa Yvan David
– TWIZERIMANA
– VICKY Joseph Laurent Petry
– MUSABYIMANA Thierry
– KABERA Justice Yannick
– SINDI Jesus Paul. 
