Cecafa perfect test for Amavubi ahead of Chan

Hosting the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in November is set to provide an ideal test for the Amavubi who will be preparing for the 2016 Africa Nations Championship from January 16-February 7. Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry welcomed the new development that was confirmed by Cecafa secretary general, Nicholas Musonye. “I am delighted that we will be hosting Cecafa here,” he said. “One of the first things when I took up the position was to speak to the Ministry of Sports and the FA, and inquire about the situation regarding Cecafa because I had heard rumours before that we might host it. In that meeting, it seemed like it wasn’t viable because we were putting all our finances into Chan, but I did say that it would be a good preparation tournament,” explained McKinstry. According to the Irish tactician, tournament football is completely different from any other type of football. “The best preparation for playing in a tournament is players who have tournament experience. In the group we obviously have a number of them who played at the Caf Africa U-17 championship here and the World Cup, so that is good tournament experience.” “Being able to play in the Cecafa in a couple of months prior to Chan and playing at home will allow us to test run everything from hotel arrangements to training time table, to playing in front of our home supporters and the pressure it brings. So for me, it is an ideal preparation for Chan,” said Mckinstry. McKinstry revealed that the Amavubi will go into that tournament trying to be as successful as possible. “We want to go in and win tournaments. If we can win Cecafa, it will be brilliant but not winning Cecafa and finishing in the top four, I think is a challenge for the players. We have to get at least to the semi-finals and if we do, that will be the ideal preparation for Chan a couple of months later,” he said. The Amavubi commenced preparations for Chan as early as last year with friendly games against Morocco (0-0) in November and Zambia (a 2-0 loss) last month. There are several friendly matches lined up later this year including against South Africa on July 25 in Johannesburg. editorial@newtimes.co.rw