McKinstry promises 'heavens' for Amavubi

New Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry has promised to turn the national football team into a major power house on the continent after being selected to replace Stephen Constantine, who resigned in January. The 29-year-old beat three other coaches on the shortlist to the top football job in the country including Engin Firat (Germany/Turkey), Hans Michael Weiss (Germany) and Jose Manuel Ferreira de Morais (Portugal). McKinstry said on his twitter handle that he was delighted to accept the offer to become head coach of the Rwanda national team and promised to introduce a distinctive, attacking brand of football that ‘in time will become synonymous with Rwandan football.’ “I can assure the thousands of Amavubi supporters who fill the stands for every game and those further afield, that the players, technical staff and myself will give everything within our power to bring you success. We will work tirelessly to develop the Amavubi into a major force within African football,” Mckinstry said. The Irishman is expected in the country by next week to commence his duties which include preparing the Amavubi for the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan), the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier against Somalia next month and the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers that commence in October. Meanwhile, the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) has revealed through their website that technical director Lee Johnson who was named interim coach after Stephen Constantine’s resignation will take charge of the Amavubi for the Zambia friendly on March 29 despite McKinstry’s appointment. Johnson henceforth summoned a strong 26-man squad yesterday that will converge on March 22 at La Palisse Nyandungu before commencing training the following day at the Amahoro stadium. The Englishman who was in charge of the U-23 side that was held to a 1-1 draw against Tanzania U-23 team in January has once again included Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima in the squad- the only foreign-based player. Amavubi squad Goalkeepers: Olivier Kwizera (APR), Jean Luc Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Emery Mvuyekure (Police) Defenders: Ismael Nshutiyamagara (APR), Emery Bayisenge (APR), Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Ombolenga (SC Kiyovu), Janvier Mutijima (AS Kigali), James Tubane (Rayon Sports), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (Rayon Sports). Midfielders: Haruna Niyonzima (Yanga), Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza (APR), Rachid Kalisa (Police), Justin Mico (AS Kigali), Patrick Sibomana (APR), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR), Kevin Muhire (Isonga), Andrew Buteera (APR), Djihad Bizimana (Rayon Sports), Yannick Mukunzi (APR), Robert Ndatimana (Rayon Sports). Strikers: Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali), Bertrand Iradukunda (APR), Isaac Muganza (Rayon Sports), Michel Ndahinduka (APR), Isaie Songa (AS Kigali).