Rwanda caretaker coach Jimmy Mulisa has said that he is glad to guide Amavubi to the CHAN 2024 finals which will take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from February 1-22. Amavubi secured the qualification after beating South Sudan in second leg 2-1 at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The latter had won the first leg 3-2 but Rwanda had the away goal rule in their favor after scoring twice in Juba as both sides settled for a 4-4 draw on aggregate. ALSO READ: CHAN Qualifiers: Rwanda lose to South Sudan in Juba I feel excited in my heart and proud to coach and qualify Rwanda to the finals. It’s a special feeling for me as one who played for the national team in the past. I am so happy,” Mulisa said. Sudan booked the lone ticket which was up for grabs from the CECAFA Zone after defeating Ethiopia over two legs to collect 6 maximum points. ALSO READ: Rwanda qualify for CHAN 2024 finals Amavubi had missed out on qualification for CHAN 2024 finals but CAF included the country into the final list of nations confirmed for the finals, taking one of the slots left by Tunisia and Libya who withdrew from the tournament, leaving two places to be filled for the 19-team tournament. My first reaction when I heard that we qualified? It was a nice, I am proud of the players, but I think it’s a really good chance to show what I can do for my country which I believe has good players,” admitted Mulisa who was part of the team that qualified Rwanda for AFCON 2004 in Tunisia. Mulisa, 40, took over Amavubi after head coach Frank Spittler left for Germany for festive holidays with his family. Spittler is out of contract and it remains unclear whether he will sign a new contract proposal that Rwanda FA offered him. In his absence, Mulisa will continue to coach Amavubi, assisted by Sosthene Habimana who was included in the coaching staff in December after Yves Rwasamanza left the camp citing family issues. There are high chances that Mulisa could also be at the helm of the team during the CHAN finals due in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1-22. “I enjoyed my coaching time in two games so much. Amavubi always comes first no matter how busy I could be.” Rwanda last participated in the CHAN finals in 2021 in Cameroon where they reached the quarter finals. ALSO READ: Mulisa laments Amavubi's scoring problems As a player, Mulisa received his first international cap in 2002 against Namibia in Windhoek during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team was under Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic. He went on to make a total of 37 appearances for Rwanda.
