Constantine dedicates Amavubi win to Rwandans

STEPHEN CONSTANTINE has dedicated the Amavubi  win to all Rwandans adding that it was the first step to a national dream with the support of every Rwandan. 

Sunday, June 01, 2014
Stephen Constantine speaks to striker Michel Ndahinduka (#10) and defender Solomon Nirisarike during Saturdayu2019s CAN 2015 qualifier. Timothy Kisambira.

STEPHEN CONSTANTINE has dedicated the Amavubi  win to all Rwandans adding that it was the first step to a national dream with the support of every Rwandan. 

"I am absolutely happy with the way we won. Our display was great, this comfortable win is for all Rwandans. I believe that together we can make our dream come true, " the former Sudan and Malawi coach said after the Saturday clash.

He urged the national team to stay calm and focused going into the final round of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Constantine became the first Amavubi Stars coach to win an international match on his debut, after his side thrashed Libya 3-0 over the weekend at Kigali Regional Stadium. 

"The performance was so good, the players gave everything to win the game, but we cannot sit down and  think that everything is done. We still have two more very difficult matches in the next round,” the Cyprus-born tactician said during a post-match press conference.

Rwanda will face either Namibia or Congo Brazzaville in the next round away on July, 18–20. Congo and Namibia were due to play a return leg on Sunday in Congo. Namibia won the first leg 1-0. Then whoever wins the final round tie will book a place in Group A, to face Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

Amavubi pulled off probably the biggest shock of these qualifiers thanks to a well-headed hat-trick by striker Dady Birori on Saturday at a venue on which very few visiting teams walk away with anything.

AS Vital Club striker, Birori scored the goals in the 38th, 65th and 75th minute. All goals came from the right wing as Constantine won the hearts of many Rwandans.

Constantine, who likes to play attacking football, says that he told the players to try and get into the box, as it is the only way to get goals.

"I like to play attacking football and if you do that and try to inter into the box, you will score the goals and that’s what we did and this is the first step for me and all Rwandans,” the-51-year-old stated.

The last international match, the Amavubi won at Kigali Regional Stadium was way back on November, 15, 2011 against Eritrea in World Cup qualifiers, which ended 3-1, while the biggest win at the ground was against Liberia 4-0 on  September 8, 2007 under Josip Kuže.