Editor,

RE: "Referee to blame for loss to Tanzania – McKinstry” (The New Times, November 26).

Mr McKinstry is obviously a fast learner of the worst traits of our football administrators — diverting blame from himself.

Even if we were to accept, as he wants us to believe, that the referee’s biased or poor officiating was a factor in the Amavubi loss to the Kilimanjaro Stars, how does he explain the long list of the team’s previous losses, punctuated only by their lucky win over Ethiopia?

It is long past time for excuses and scapegoats from both the head coach and the entire national team management about Amavubi’s chronic ‘underwhelming’ performances.

What we need is an honest assessment of what is really wrong with the nation’s football, and then develop and implement a comprehensive remedy to address the weaknesses. All that can only be possible if our football authorities looked at the situation with full honesty and lucidity.

MK

Rwanda yesterday reached the semifinals of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after edging Kenya 5-3 through penalty shootouts – Editor