IN TWO weeks the national football team Amavubi will have a new head coach. A committee has been set up to assess a shortlist of more than 20 candidates before picking the right man for the job.

The national team coach is a hugely significant job  in a country where football commands a cult following. 

The search committee has its work cut out.

Almost all the candidates have outstanding experience and impressive CVs in the coaching profession.

 The incumbent coach Eric Nshimiyimana is said to be the only Rwandan on the shortlist. Nshimiyimana has been in charge of Amavubi Stars since March 2013 following the sacking of Serbian Milutin Sredojovic. 

Nshimiyimana’s contract expires at the end of the month and it’s almost certain that it will not be renewed.

The football fans are desperate for a coach that will take Rwanda to the 2015 Africa Nations Cup finals in Morocco. Rwanda will also host the 2016 Chan tournament which, as hosts, we should be eager to win.

With the heavy workload awaiting the new coach, the committee has to vet carefully for a candidate that will be up to the job.  

We should not have scenarios where a coach is appointed only to be sacked after a few months due to under-performance yet we had a chance to make the right choice. We don’t have more time to change coaches but to concentrate on our 2015 Africa Nations Cup campaign.