Norway-based midfielder Yannick Mukunzi has won a recall, after returning from a lengthy injury layoff, to Rwanda’s 28-man squad for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique.
Mukunzi has not played an international game for Rwanda since September 2021 because of the injury and has yet to play under Rwanda’s Spanish coach Carlos Alos Ferrer, who took over the team in March 2022.
Ferrer also handed a first call-ups to Al Wahda striker Patrick Mutsinzi, defender Noe Uwimana from Philadelphia Union in the United States, striker Innocent Nshuti and Rukinzo FC midfielder Danny Ndikumana, who snubbed Burundi to switch his allegiances to Rwanda.
Rwanda must win in Butare to have any chance of progressing to the finals.
"We have the quality, physical preparations and now we need to get the players mentally ready for this very difficult match and we believe we will successfully match,” Ferrer said.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Adolphe Hakizimana (Rayon Sports), Pierre Ishimwe (APR FC), Fiance Ntwali (AS Kigali)
Defenders: Emmanuel Imanishimwe (FAR Rabat, Morocco), Christian Ishimwe, Thierry Manzi (both AS Kigali), Ange Mutsinzi (Jerv, Norway), Aimable Nsabimana (SC Kiyovu), Fitina Ombalenga (APR FC), Abdul Rwatubyaye (Rayon Sports), Ally Serumogo (SC Kiyovu), Faustin Usengimana (Al Qasim, Iraq), Noel Uwimana (Philadelphia Union, U.S)
Midfielders: Djihad Bizimana (Deinze, Belgium), Samuel Gueullette (La Louviere, Belgium), Muhadjiri Hakizimana (Police), Yannick Mukunzi (Sandviken, Norway), Steve Rubanguka (Zimbru Chisinau, Moldova), Jean Bosco Ruboneka (APR FC), Hakim Sabaho (Lille, France), Rafael York (Gefle, Sweden)
Forwards: Abeddy Biramahire (US Songo, Mozambique), Didier Mugisha (Police), Gilbert Mugisha (APR FC) Patrick Mutsinzi (Al Wahda, United Arab Emirates), Danny Ndikumana (Rukinzo), Dominique Savio Nshuti (Police), Innocent Nshuti (APR FC).