Rwanda’s Under 18 Soccer Team Off To Ivory Coast For Major Tournament

Isonga Football club departs this Tuesday to Abidjan for the Tournoi International du District Autonome d’Abidjan (TIDA) which is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from November 30 to December 6, 2017.

In preparations for the fourth TIDA edition, Isonga head coach Gatera Moussa has named a 20-man squad that will depart from Kigali on Tuesday 08h00’.

The Isonga FC delegation will have a stop-over in Cotonou, Benin before resuming their flight to Abidjan with expected arrival scheduled for 15:30’.

Isonga FC will participate in the Tournoi International du District Autonome d’Abidjan reserved for the Under-18 players in order to help Rwandan players be equipped with experience for their career growth.

In this year’s edition, three groups composed of four teams have been formed.

Champions Asec Mimosas make Group A with FC San Pedro, FC Lakika and Junior Volcano.

Isonga FC are in Group B alongside U17 Elephants of Ivory Coast, WAFA and Racing Club d’Abidjan.

Group is made of Royal VI Academy, Ivoire Academie, SOA and Royal FC.

The first-ranked teams in each group at the knockout games will qualify for the semi-finals. The teams that will finish second will play in a half-time tournament after which the winner will be qualified for the semis.

Organized by Association Ivoire Sports Promotion (ISP), initiator of the event, TIDA 2017 seeks to help identify talent and promote youth football.

Isonga Fc started with the group of players that participated in Africa U-17 Youth Championships held in Rwanda and later at the World Cup finals tournament in Mexico, in order for the country to have a large pool of young players to feed the big clubs.

Isonga was founded in 2011 as a composition of players, who played in the U-17 African Youth Championships and the FIFA World Cup.

The team was promoted to the U-20 level and registered to play in the national league without going through the second division.

Under Eric Nshimiyimana, Isonga FC finished in sixth position in its debut season in the 2011/12season but failed to maintain that impressive form the following season, which saw them relegated to the second division league before they withdrew from the second division this year.

Isonga FC squad to travel to Abidjan this Tuesday:

Players: Iradukunda Emmanuel, Nkubana Marc, Ishimwe Christian, Uwineza Aime Placide, Ndabarasa Tresor, Turatsinze Peter, Bonane Janvier, Mugisha Patrick, Nduwayezu Jean Paul, Cyitegetse Bogarde, Ishimwe Sareh, Twagiramungu Jerome, Mugisha Yvan, Mandera Robert, Rutayisire Amani, Songayingabo Shaffi, Ntwali Fiacre, Byiringiro Lague, Uwimana Guilain and Butare Henry.

Technical Staff: Gatera Mousa, Nonde Mouhamed, Kabalisa Calliope, Ntarengwa Aimable, Habimana Sixbert and Rwabuyonza Jean Paul.