We have chance against Uganda - McKinstry

Rwanda head coach Johnny McKinstry has revealed that the U-23 side still has a chance against Uganda ahead of the CAF U-23 Championship/Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier return leg tie set for May 30 at the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in Kampala. Rwanda lost 2-1 to Uganda Kobs on Saturday in a self-destructing performance at home where they had earlier hoped to establish an advantage going into the decisive game in Kampala. McKinstry said, “It is very frustrating that we conceded twice at home. We know now that in Kampala we have to score two goals but I also know that, like I said, going back to the 25-minute spell at the start of the second half, that is possible.” Having conceded an early free kick on the edge of the penalty box by Ugandan Captain Farouk Miya as early as the ninth minute following goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera’s mistake to handle the ball with one leg outside the penalty box, Rwanda came out strong in the opening 25 minutes of the second half, creating several chances and eventually equalizing through Dominique Savio Nshuti in the 59th minute. And now McKinstry has urged his players to replicate the performance in those 25 minutes to a full 90 minutes in the return leg. He said, “If we go about our job in the right way and if we get in behind the Ugandan team and cause them problems, then we can score those goals.” However, the Irish tactician is keen to note that, “There is no doubt we are in a difficult situation but as coach [Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic] has said, these games can swing either way in a moment, a goalkeeper stepping out of the penalty box or a free kick, who knows.” Micho echoed his counterpart’s thoughts. “Football is a very funny and unpredictable game. We have played against a very good team. We got the result but the game is far from over,” Micho said. The Serbian further added that, “We scored those two goals which for us are very important but at the same time they are not giving us a comfort zone to go on and relax. We need to prepare for the next seven days because we want to have a very good game in Kampala.” The winner of this tie will face Egypt in the final round of qualification for the CAF U-23 Championship that will take place in Dakar, Senegal from November 28-December 12. The top three sides will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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We have chance against Uganda - McKinstry