Host nation Rwanda this week entered camp for residential training prior to next month's 2018 CECAFA Women's Challenge Cup.

 The team under the tutelage of coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga held their first part of preparations last week with the involvement of 40 players before they were trimmed down to 30.

The selected players are staying at the La Palisse Hotel in Nyamata and will train at the Ferwafa turf until Thursday when they will leave for their respective clubs.

She-Amavubi as they are nicknamed, Rwanda will be looking to defy all odds to winning the title for the first time when the tournament is played from May 11th to 22nd in Kigali.

They were knocked out in the group stage of the finals two years ago in Uganda following their defeats to eventual winners Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The Tanzanians won the tournament after they defeated Kenya in the final match, while Ethiopia settled for third-place with victory over the hosts Uganda.

This year's event will see defending champions Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Zanzibar and Djibouti playing for honour; while Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan are yet to confirm their participation.

It is worth to note that, before 2016, the championship had not taken place since 1989. World football governing body FIFA offered US$330,000 (about Rwf277.8 million) towards the hosting of this year's CECAFA finals.

Rwanda provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Judith Nyirabashyitsi (AS Kigali), Helene Uwizeyimana (AS Kigali) and Zakia Umubyeyi (Scandinavia).

Defenders: Joselyne Mukantaganira (AS Kigali), Anne Marie Nyirahabimana (Scandinavia), Sifa Uwanyirigirira (AS Kigali), Milliam Nyiransanzebera (Kamonyi), Edith Umulisa (Scandinavia), Louise Maniraguha (AS Kigali), Immacule Uwimbabazi (Kamonyi), Constance Muhawimana (Inyemera), Jeanne Claire Mataye Uwamahoro (AS Kigali), and Angelique Umwizerwa (AS Kigali).

Midfielders: Gloria Sifa Nibagwire (Scandinavia), Alice Karimba (AS Kigali), Jeannette Mukeshimana (AS Kigali), Marta Nyiramwiza (AS Kigali), Dorothe Mukeshimana (AS Kigali), Kevine Uwihirwe (Scandinavia) and Diane Umumararungu (Kamonyi).

Forwards: Dudja Umwaliwase (AS Kigali), Marie Claire Mushimiyimana (Scandinavia), Yvonne Umuhoza (ES Mutunda), Anne Marie Ibangarye (Scandinavia), Lyberata Ntibagwire (AS Kigali), Sophie Madudu Niyomugaba (AS Kigali), Callixte Iradukunda (AS Kigali), Djamila Mwiza Abimana (Scandinavia), Florence Manizabayo (AS Kigali), and Clautilde Ufitinema (AS Kigali).



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