Rwanda hand St Etienne star Monnet-Paquet first call-up in National team as Vincent Mashami named Amavubi first Squad of 2020
In today’s press conference held at the Rwanda Football federation headquarters, head coach Vincent Mashami has named the first squad team composed of 27 domestic players and 10 foreign based players. The 27 domestic players will go to a residential camp at La Palisse Hotel on Friday October 9, after the completion of the COVID-19 player-testing program. then Foreign Based players will join the group before heading to Praia, Cape Verde.
New Gasogi United forward Jean Bertrand Iradukunda, had been hopeful of making the squad after relaunching his career at Mukura, but instead has to settle for a place on the standby list of 11. Only one player has been handed the first call-up in Rwanda national team, St Etienne Star Monnet-Paquet
Kevin Monnet-Paquet, 32, born to a Rwandan mother and French father, plays as a forward for French Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne.
Monnet-Paquet represented France at youth levels, U-18, U-19 and the U-21 national team. However, he was never called-up by the senior French national team.
Rwanda is preparing for back to back matches of upcoming Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications against Cape Verde. The first match is scheduled on November 9, 2020 in Praia and the 2nd one after 8 days in Kigali. Two countries make group F along with Cameroon and Mozambique.
Rwanda’s hope to qualify is very slim as they are bottom of the group without a point after two loses; 2-0 in Maputo against Mozambique and 1-0 to Cameroon in Kigali. Mozambique tops the group with 4 and a goal-difference of 2 and Cameroon has 4 points too but with a goal-difference of 1. Cape Verde is ranked third with 2 points.
Rwanda National Football team is ranked 132nd and the last match they played was against Cameroon on November 17, 2019. Amavubi lost the game one goal to nil at Kigali Stadium.
The entire list presented by Mashami on this Wednesday follows below.
Goal Keepers:
Kimenyi Yves (SC Kiyovu), Kwizera Olivier (Rayon sports FC), Ndayishimiye Eric (AS Kigali) and Rwabugiri Omar (APR FC)
Defenders:
Manzi Thierry (APR FC), Mutsinzi Ange (APR FC), Fitina Ombolenga (APR FC), Manishimwe Emmanuel (APR FC), Rutanga Eric (Police FC), Rwatubyaye Abdoul (Suitchbacks), Nirisarike Salomon (Pyunick FC), Rugwiro Herve (Rayon Sports FC), Bayisenge Emery (AS Kigali) and Rusheshangoga Michel (AS Kigali)
Midfielders:
Niyonzima Olivier (APR FC), Ngendahimana Eric (SC Kiyovu), Twizerimana Martin Fabrice (Police FC), Nsabimana Eric (AS Kigali), Manishimwe Djabel (APR FC), Niyonzima Ally (Azam FC), Mukunzi Yannick (Sandvikens), Muhire Kevin (Tela’ea el gaish), Bizimana Djihad (Waasaland beveren), Niyonzima Haruna (Young Africans), Niyomugabo Claude (APR FC), Nshuti Dominique savior (Police FC) and Rubanguka Steve ( A.E. Karaiskakis)
Forwards:
Byiringiro Lague (APR FC), Sugira Ernest (APR FC), Sibomana Patrick (Police FC), Bizimana Yannick (APR FC), Iyabivuze Ossee (Police FC), Mico Justin (Police FC), Tuyisenge Jacques (APR FC), Kagere Meddie (SC Simba), Hakizimana Muhadjili (AS Kigali) and Kevin Monnet Paquet (St Etienne)
Waiting List:
Usengimana Faustin (Police FC), Ndekwe Felix (AS Kigali), Iradukunda Eric (Police FC), Iradukunda Jean Bertrand (Gasogi United), Kalisa Rachid ( AS Kigali), Usengimana Danny ( APR FC), Nsabimana Aimable (Police FC), Iranzi Jean Claude, Mvuyekure Emery (Tusker), Nshuti Innocent (APR FC), Twizerimana Onesme (Musanze FC)
