AFCCOVENTRY
Well-Known Member
Coventry striker Seif Murenzi and Orléans defender Pacifique Shema have been drafted in Rwanda's U-17 national football team for this week's tour of Nigeria.
Richard Tardy's team is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Nigeria's U-17 side (the Golden Eaglets) as part of their preparations for next month's 2013 African Under-17 Championship qualifier against the winner between Malawi and Botswana.
Tardy has been a great admirer of Murenzi since last year and believes that his pace and ability to hold onto the ball will be a great asset to the team.
Meanwhile, Murenzi could not hide his excitement after getting the nod. "I'm delighted that I have been called up to the U-17 team. It's a great honour for me and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Murenzi said.
For the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the two-legged encounter against the Junior Wasps is the ideal test for the team's build up ahead of the qualifier against Niger.
"The Golden Eaglets will prepare very well before they go to Niger Republic for the Africa Youth Championship qualifier. The preparation is in top gear and we shall go there with the prospect of getting a result in Niamey," NFF General Secretary Barrister Musa Amadu said.
Besides being the host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009, Nigeria's cadet side failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Mexico after the team then led by coach Monday Odigie was dumped out by the Democratic Republic of Congo at the first hurdle. Nigeria is a three-time winner following victories in 1985, 1993 and 2007.
The match between Rwanda and Malawi/Botswana will be held on the weekend of October 12-14 and Tardy is aware that his youngsters have their work cut out against the two Cosafa teams.
However, should they negotiate this match-up; a much tougher test in the third qualifying round awaits them. Victory over Malawi/Botswana pits them against the winner between Sudan/Somalia and Algeria to be played in November.
Last year, Rwanda reached the final of the U-17 African Championship only to lose to Burkina Faso 2-1.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208270548.html?
Richard Tardy's team is scheduled to play two friendly matches against Nigeria's U-17 side (the Golden Eaglets) as part of their preparations for next month's 2013 African Under-17 Championship qualifier against the winner between Malawi and Botswana.
Tardy has been a great admirer of Murenzi since last year and believes that his pace and ability to hold onto the ball will be a great asset to the team.
Meanwhile, Murenzi could not hide his excitement after getting the nod. "I'm delighted that I have been called up to the U-17 team. It's a great honour for me and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Murenzi said.
For the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the two-legged encounter against the Junior Wasps is the ideal test for the team's build up ahead of the qualifier against Niger.
"The Golden Eaglets will prepare very well before they go to Niger Republic for the Africa Youth Championship qualifier. The preparation is in top gear and we shall go there with the prospect of getting a result in Niamey," NFF General Secretary Barrister Musa Amadu said.
Besides being the host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009, Nigeria's cadet side failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Mexico after the team then led by coach Monday Odigie was dumped out by the Democratic Republic of Congo at the first hurdle. Nigeria is a three-time winner following victories in 1985, 1993 and 2007.
The match between Rwanda and Malawi/Botswana will be held on the weekend of October 12-14 and Tardy is aware that his youngsters have their work cut out against the two Cosafa teams.
However, should they negotiate this match-up; a much tougher test in the third qualifying round awaits them. Victory over Malawi/Botswana pits them against the winner between Sudan/Somalia and Algeria to be played in November.
Last year, Rwanda reached the final of the U-17 African Championship only to lose to Burkina Faso 2-1.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208270548.html?