Micho calls for improvement

Cecafa Challenge CupYesterday, Group AKenya 2-0 South SudanUganda 1-0 EthiopiaToday, Group BSomalia vs SudanTanzania vs BurundiAMAVUBI head coach Milutin Sreodojovic Micho has lauded his team for making a good start at this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kampala, Uganda.“From a point of getting confidence for the rest of the tournament, it was very important to win the first game, and we’re pleased that we have beaten the team which is 20 places ahead of us in Fifa rankings. This will boost our Fifa ranking in the future as well,” Micho told Times Sport after Monday’s 2-0 win over Malawi in the first game of Group C at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.“I am satisfied with not only the result but the general performance of the entire team. We scored two but also missed a few open chances. Nonetheless, we need to be tight in defence and not allow teams to create chances, but after today, I can say, we are only 30% of where we want to be in terms of performance,” the Serb noted.He added, “We hope to improve our performance and play much better in the next two group matches against Zanzibar and Eritrea.”Midfielder Jean Bapstiste Mugiraneza gave Amavubi the lead in the 37th minute, slamming home a half volley from inside a congested Malawi penalty box before team captain Haruna Niyonzima sealed the win in the 79th minute with a left foot shot from 30 yards out.Rwanda, which finished second in last year’s edition after losing on penalties to Uganda Cranes in the final, are seeking a second regional title since winning the first 14 years ago.Micho also noted that he was happy to be back at Namboole, a stadium he described as his spiritual home.“This is where my journey of coaching in Africa started and I am happy to be back here and start with a win. This is like my spiritual home and being here brings a lot of good memories to me,” the former SC Villa coach said in the post match press conference.Rwanda leads Group C with three points after the win, with Eritrea and Zanzibar in second and third position respectively after their goalless draw. Malawi is bottom of the group following Monday’s defeat.

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Micho calls for improvement