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Rwandan fans excited with upcoming Africa Nations Cup

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Rwandan football enthusiasts are excited about the forthcoming 2016 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) which will take place in Rwanda mid January.

The fourth edition of CHAN is slated from January 16-February 7 at the Capital Kigali stadiums, as well as in Huye and Gisenyi.

Soccer fans feel excitement as the buses ferrying Africa football stars arrived in Kigali on Monday.

About 16 buses to transport teams have arrived in Rwanda amid CHAN preparations which are in high gear.

"I am so excited to see these buses. It s my first time to see the state-of-the-art bus to transport soccer stars. They look cool and amazing. This shows that soon we shall enjoy the game that we have been used to watch on TV," Eric Mbarushimana, one of the Kigali residents who lined up along the road to witness the buses.

He noted that Rwandans are eagerly waiting to watch CHAN live in the country and he hopes his country Rwanda will walk away with the prestigious continental trophy.

CHAN 2016 will be the third Confederation of African Football (CAF)-sanctioned tournament that is hosted in Rwanda after the U-20 Africa Youth Championship in 2009 and the U-17 version in 2011.

"We hope to host World Cup in the near future because our country has demonstrated itself to host international soccer tournaments. I am so happy for Rwanda to host CHAN and I look forward to watching the tournament live unlike on televised screens, "said Antoine Karasira, another soccer enthusiast.

Four venues, Amahoro Stadium, Kigali Regional Stadium, Huye Stadium, and Umuganda Stadium in Gisenyi, will host the group matches.

"Everyone expects a lot from Rwanda and we are ready to deliver. We are very committed to host this tournament. Rwanda's commitment to the development of infrastructure has seen the installation of state-of-the-art playing grounds, dressing rooms, pavilions and parking lots that meet international standards," said Julienne Uwacu, Rwanda's minister of sports and culture.

"We also take security very seriously in Rwanda and we shall ensure that everyone is safe throughout the tournament."

Rwanda was drawn in Group A with Morocco, Gabon and Ivory Coast.

The other teams are Tunisia, Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, DR Congo, Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mali, Uganda and Zambia. Endit