Editor,

RE: "Amavubi knocked out of CHAN” (The New Times, January 31).

Dealing with the feeling of being so down after a defeat is never easy, especially so soon after the high of recent (rather unaccustomed) victories at this level and hope of even greater success. But we Rwandans need to learn to be gracious in defeat as we should be magnanimous in victory.

The Leopards beat us fair and square after a very competitive match that could have gone to either side. As our closest neighbours left in the tournament, and a people with whom we share a lot of history, we should be behind them and cheer them on to lift the trophy (despite provocative statements from people like North Kivu’s Governor Paluku, attempting to transform the match and its result into a political contest between our two countries and people). This was a game, period.

Our team may be out of the tournament, but Rwanda remains fully in it, as host. Let’s continue to be the best of hosts and to showcase our deserved tradition as a very hospitable people. In doing our bit to make CHAN 2016 a very successful festival to remember for all—guests and Rwandans—Rwanda, too, will emerge a proud victor from this continental celebration of Africa’s most popular sport.

And to Amavubi: you did us proud. There were flashes of brilliance in a performance that helped you to move out of the group stage, for the first time in our football history. Build on that, even as you work to eliminate your observed weaknesses, including profligacy before the adversary’s goal.

You showed us you have it in you to do much better; work harder to develop your individual and collective mental strength, the self-belief and the espirit de corps that will push your performance higher and so bring you and Rwanda assured future success; we know you can and we are fully behind you.

There’s a great performance that promises so much for the future, if we can learn to build on it. May the best team take the trophy, but whoever does, Rwanda and African football will emerge winners.

Mwene Kalinda