Chiefs reserve keeper in World Cup squad

Kazier Chiefs back-up goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari is expected to be the keeper for Rwanda in their last World Cup qualifiers even though he has not played at club level since last November.

Ntwari’s only competitive action for almost a year has come in a goal for his national team where he has started every one of their last 14 fixtures in both the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and Word Cup qualifiers.

He has not played for Chiefs since conceding four goals in their Carling Knockout quarterfinal clash against Mamelodi Sundowns last November.

Ntwari was named at the weekend in a 23-man squad by coach Adel Amrouche for their last two outings in Group C against co-leaders Benin and South Africa.

Rwanda, who sit three points adrift, are still in with a chance themselves of topping the group but would have to win Friday’s match at home to Benin and then upset Bafana Bafana in Polokwane in their last fixture on Tuesday, October 14.

To boost their chances, they have called up German born striker Joy-Lance Mickels for the first time, adding a proven goalscorer to their roster.

The 31-year-old was born in Germany to parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo but with Rwandese heritage and has caught the eye of coach Adel Amrouche, who named the squad on Friday.

Mickels plays at Sabah in Azerbaijan and has scored 54 goals in 104 starts in just over three seasons for the club where he forms a front duo with former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Pavel Safranko.

He netted hattricks in both the early rounds of the Champions League and Europa League in August.

Mickels was a junior at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04 and also player briefly in the Dutch second division at MVV Maastricht.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Clement Twizerer Buhake (Ullensaker/Kisa, Norway), Pierre Ishimwe (APR FC), Fiacre Ntwari (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

Defenders: Jean Gilbert Byiringiro (APR FC), Phanuel Kavita (Birmingham Legiion, USA), Thierry Manzi (Al Ahly Tripoli, Libya), Ange Mutsinzi (Zira, Azerbaijan), Claude Niyomugabo (APR FC), Darryl Nkurikiyimana (Standard Liege, Belgium), Emmanuel Nshimiyimanana (Rayon Sport), Yunsu Nshimiyimanana (APR FC)

Midfielders: Djihad Bizimana (Al Ahly Tripoli, Libya), Aly-Enzo Hamon (Angouleme, France), Anicet Ishimwe (Olympique Beja, Tunisia), Bonheur Mugisha (Al Masry, Egypt), Kevin Muhire (Jamus, South Sudan), Jean Bosco Ruboneka (APR FC)

Forward: Abedy Biramahire (Entente Setif, Algeria), Arthur Gitego (FUS Rabat, Morocco), Jojea Kwizera (Rhode Island, US), Joy-Lance Mickels (Sabah, Azerbaijan), Gilbert Mugisha (APR FC), Innocent Nshuti (Esperance Zarzis, Tunisia).