Kigali — The Under-18 national football team will play a series of tough matches in Germany ahead of the 2009 CAN, Ferwafa's national technical director Michael Weis has said.

According to Weis, the team is in better shape, on a good level and has big potential but needs more physical training to improve on its stamina.

"We made a new selection in all provinces; I made a selection of 60 players; some of which featured in the U-17 Cecafa tournament which was staged in Burundi," Weis said before adding some of the U-17 players will be part of the U-18 squad.

The team depart for Germany on Sunday where it is expected to play five games against the German U-18 national team.

"The trip to Germany is a big opportunity because it improves on the players' experience; pitches in Germany are good enough to show the playing talents of the team," Weis continued.

However, Weis has warned the team to prepare for the cold conditions as it is autumn.

U-18 team squad: Eric Ndayishimiye, Nicolas Maniraguha, Egide Twizeyimana, Christian Twahirwa, Aimable Rucogoza, Amani Uwiringiyimana, Annual Kibaya, Jean Claude Iranzi, Haruna Niyonzima, Djabir Mwiseneza, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Hegman Ngoma, Jimmy Habimana, Said Habaguhirwa, Michel Ndayishimiye, Jacque Tuyisenge, Robert Muvunyi, Ernest Kwizera, Eric Serugaba, Ibrahim Ntwari, Jean d'amour Mpayimana, Pacifiqeu Niyubuhwe, and Jean Marie Vianney Tuyisenge.