RWANDA'S HEAD coach Stephen Constantine says that Amavubi can easily achieve a higher position on the Fifa world rankings if only they get more support and better working conditions.
RWANDA’S HEAD coach Stephen Constantine says that Amavubi can easily achieve a higher position on the Fifa world rankings if only they get more support and better working conditions.
In the latest rankings released yesterday, Rwanda is ranked 68th in the world and 19th on the African continent, the highest placing in the history of the country which was ranked 90th last month. Rwanda’s previous best ranking was 78th in 2008.
Constantine told Times Sport that, "Despite getting little support and having players who are yet to get their bonuses and no key sponsors, the players deserve more respect and better conditions.”
The Englishman who took over the national team in May has registered tremendous success with Amavubi turning around the fortunes of a side that was a laughing stock in the eyes of fans and considered a minnow on the continent and beyond.
Constantine has built a young side giving debut appearances to several youngsters who haven’t disappointed.
"I am very delighted that we have achieved this. It has been a team achievement and not personal success, the coaches – Ibrahim Mugisha and Vincent Mashami and the players did this. It is absolutely fantastic,” added Constantine.
Uganda, which has been the top ranked country in the region now sits in second position in the Cecafa region in 78th position while the rest follow in that order; Tanzania (105th), Sudan (110th), Ethiopia (111st), Kenya (116th), Burundi (127th), South Sudan (189th), Eritrea (202nd), Somalia (204th) and Djibouti (206th).
Algeria is the highest ranked African country in 18th position, Tunisia (22nd), Ivory Coast (28th), Senegal (35th), Ghana (37th) and Guinea (39th).