Uganda’s McKinstry admits soft spot for Rwanda

Uganda national team coach Jonathan McKinstry

Monday Jan 18, 2021. 12:00

Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry has admitted that he still has a soft spot for Rwanda ahead of the team’s group stage clash in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon.

The East African sides will meet for a derby in a Group B match in Douala tonight, a fixture which holds a special place in the heart of the Northern Irish tactician after he spent nearly 18 months in charge of Amavubi in 2015 and 2016.

“I have an emotional attachment with Rwanda,” McKinstry told the Uganda’s FA website.

“I was head coach of Rwanda in 2016. We have one objective when we play Rwanda; winning will be on our minds.

“The historical relationship will be put aside. If it is not playing against Uganda, I have always wanted Rwanda to do well. It is a big East African derby.”

McKinstry added that it is a surprise that Uganda has never moved beyond the group stage of a CHAN tournament – an objective he is looking to achieve in Cameroon this year.

“It is widely known that Uganda haven’t been able to get out of the group stages of CHAN,” he explained.

“To me, it is an anomaly with the kind of quality players Uganda produce. We want to be here till the final weekend of CHAN.

“We feel we know their strengths. However, we are making sure we cover up for that in our training sessions.

“It is really not about doing anything new but focusing on one or two specific areas of our style of play that will bring maximum benefit to the entire team for good results.”