Gabon presents a strong test for us - Amavubi coach

Today Rwanda vs Gabon 3:30pm Amavubi Stars coach Johnny McKinstry has urged his side to showcase a fusion of good performance and positive result when the Amavubi take on Gabon in an international friendly this afternoon at Amahoro National Stadium. Having displayed a remarkable performance against Ghana despite conceding in the 87th minute last weekend, McKinstry is hoping his players strike the right balance. “It is easier to defend well than attack well. Attacking tends to be quite a creative sort of spontaneous thing based on repetition in training and it is quite individualistic whereas defending is about communication and being solid as a block. It is easier to win by defending than it is by attacking,” explained McKinstry. Against Ghana, the Amavubi attempted some shots at goal in the first half but failed to present any threat in front of goal in the second period but the Northern Irishman wants his side to play like the home team and attack. He added, “Speed and attack are some of the big things we spoke about and how important that is. So when we get the ball, we need to be quick with it. We need to control the tempo of the game.” The 30-year-old tactician noted that in friendly games, it is always first about the performance and it is about players making their mark in the team and this is a big opportunity for the players to impress. However, he is quick to note that Gabon presents a strong test for the home side coming off a 4-0 thumping of Sudan in Libreville in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Group I before Les Pantheres held Zambia to a 1-1 draw in Lusaka on Tuesday. “Gabon are a very physical side, even their pace and energy is quite high. They thumped Sudan, I know that was their senior team and not CHAN team but Sudan are a very stubborn side, they do not concede that many goals,” he mentioned. Rwanda defeated Gabon twice last year in international friendly games registering two 1-0 wins with Jacques Tuyisenge scoring in Kigali before Meddie Kagere secured victory in Libreville. Today’s friendly is part of Amavubi’s preparations for the 2016 African Nations Championship from January 16-February 7 in Rwanda next year. On the other hand, Gabon will host the AFCON 2017 and their Group I games, which they lead with four points, are considered as friendly matches.

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Gabon presents a strong test for us - Amavubi coach