By Andrew Oryada

Rwanda will play Morocco and Ethiopia in the World Cup qualifiers

Croatian coach Branko Tucak has been appointed to charge of the Rwanda national team.

The 56-year-old replaces his fellow countryman Josip Kuze, who quit the post in January to join Japanese side JEF United Chiba.

Tucak signed a two-year contract to guide the Amavubi during the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He will be assisted by local coaches Raoul Shungu and Eric Nshimiyimana.

Tucak's first official assignment will be on 4 May when they take on Sudan in the African Nations Championship qualifier in Khartoum.

His biggest challenge will in the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers where they face Mauritania, Ethiopia and Morocco in Group Eight.

His career spans over twenty years of managing teams in his native Croatia, France, Kuwait and Sudan where he coached bitter rivals Al-Hilal and El-Merreikh.

Football authorities in Rwanda hope he can emulate his compatriot Kuze who was impressive in his time as the coach of the Amavubi.

Kuze led Rwanda in six matches, managing four victories, one defeat and one draw.

He guided the Amavubi to a second place finish in last year's Cecafa Cup, only losing on penalties to Sudan in the final.