Rwanda will be without Kalisa in Tunisia

"I have broken my leg and have had an operation in Belgium.

"The doctor said although the surgery went well, I'll be out of football for five to six months," Kalisa told the BBC Sport website.

Kalisa's injury happened during Sunday's 3-0 win over Namibia in the first leg of a 2006 World Cup and Nations Cup qualifier in Kigali.

"I hope that I can get back to full fitness and play again at the level I was before this injury," he added.

"I can't play at the Nations Cup and I am very disappointed about that, but these things happen in sport.

"I'd love to go to Tunisia but I will be in rehab and I'm not sure if my club St Truiden will let me," Kalisa added.

I will be out of football for six to six months Claude Kalisa

But Kalisa insists he does not hold a grudge against the Namibian player tha tackled him.

"The tackle was very tough, and I honestly don't know if the other player was going for the ball or for my leg.

"But he came to see me in the hospital in Kigali and said he didn't mean to hurt me. I accepted that, and I am not angry with him."

Kagame visit

Another visitor who saw Kalisa in hospital in Kigali, before his return to Belgium, was Rwanda president Paul Kagame.

"He stayed with me for an hour and said everything would be done to take care of me.

"He even suggested I had the operation in Kigali, but I decided to have it done in Belgium, because that is where I live.

"Kagame went on to promise that he and the government will follow my progress and make sure everything goes well," Kalisa said.

The Amavubi, who make their debut at the 2004 Nations Cup, will play against hosts Tunisia, neighbours DR Congo and Guinea in Group A.

Kalisa was voted amongst the top ten players in Belgian football last season.