Amavubi players need to improve

Editor,I have watched all the four games the national football team, Amavubi Stars, played at the ongoing Cecafa tournament in Kampala, Uganda. The team won twice and lost twice, conceding four goals and converting five in the process. They are now out, and probably back home already!I do appreciate the fact that the team is going through a critical stage, with much younger lads coming through the ranks. Several local clubs are now fielding young, homegrown folks, and increasingly sidelining the old guard. This has a direct bearing on the national team.Several players who featured at last year’s FIFA U-17 finals in Mexico have been promoted to the senior team and this means there is plenty of inexperience in the national squad. Noticeably the quality of play has generally not gone down.But there is need to improve in terms of physique, pace and mentality.The coaching staff need to urgently inculcate a winning mentality in the team, insist on concentration in critical positions, ball possession and taking chances whenever they come by.We cannot afford to slip further; we must begin to revive our ambitions of becoming a footballing nation. While there is need to continue scouting and nurturing young talent, we must ensure that the current crop of players improves both technically and physically.I have no doubt that coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojovic has what it takes to turn the corner and help take this team to a new level. But time is not on their side. Fans want to see passion from every player who pulls on that shirt. We are impatient; we want to put mediocrity behind us and graduate to a truly winning team.Felix MatsikoKigali

Opinions

Amavubi players need to improve