Jacques and Joy-Lance Mickels left out as former Man United player Noam Emeran earns first Amavubi call-up

The Amavubi will face Comoros and Tanzania in early June as part of preparations for the group stage of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are set to begin in September.

Several notable players are absent from the squad, including defender Manzi Thierry and the Mickels brothers, Joy Slayd Mickels and Leroy Jacques Mickels, who have all been ruled out due to injury. Also missing is midfielder Hakim Sahabo of AEK Athens, reportedly due to limited playing time at the club level.

A major highlight of the squad is the inclusion of Noam Emeran, an attacking forward currently signed with FC Groningen in the Netherlands. The winger, who previously featured for Manchester United’s youth system, earns his first senior call-up for Rwanda. He is the son of former Amavubi player Fritz Emeran Nkusi.

Of the 24 players selected, 11 ply their trade in Rwanda’s domestic league. This group includes six players from league champions APR FC, as well as representatives from Rayon Sports, Police FC, Marine FC, and Kiyovu Sports.

Kiyovu Sports striker Uwiyaremye Fidali is among those receiving a maiden national team call-up following an impressive domestic campaign in which he scored 11 goals.

Rwanda will open its tour with a match against Comoros on June 6, before facing Tanzania on June 9. Both fixtures will be played in Marrakech, Morocco.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers

• Niyongira Patience (Police FC)

• Hakizimana Adolphe (APR FC)

• Kwizera Olivier (Rayon Sports)

Defenders

• Mutsinzi Ange (Zira FK)

• Niyigena Clément (APR FC)

• Kavita Phanuel Mabaya (Birmingham Legion)

• Nshimiyimana Yunus (APR FC)

• Byiringiro Jean Gilbert (APR FC)

• Emmanuel Imanishimwe (AEL Limassol)

• Niyomugabo Claude (APR FC)

Midfielders

• Noam Fritz Emeran (FC Groningen)

• Kwizera Jojea (Rhode Island)

• Kury Johan Marvin (AC Bellinzona)

• Mugisha Bonheur (Al Masry)

• Bizimana Djihad (CS Constantine)

• Samuel Marie Gueulette (RAAL La Louvière)

• Ruboneka Jean Bosco (APR FC)

• Muhire Kevin (Jamus SC)

Forwards

• Nshuti Innocent (Al Wafaq)

• René Uwineza (Kiyovu Sports)

• Biramahire Abeddy (Assabah)

• Uwiyaremye Fidali (Kiyovu Sports)

• Mbonyumwami Taiba (Marine FC)