Amavubi coach Mashami cries foul after dismissal

Former Amavubi assistant coach, Vincent Mashami has said he is not convinced with reasons for his firing from the national team. In a telephone interview with Times Sport yesterday, Mashami said he was summoned for a meeting last week on Friday with head coach Johnny McKinstry, Ministry of Sports and Culture, and Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) officials. In the meeting, he was told that the head coach would not need his services any more for reasons he refused to divulge, but is adamant they were not satisfactory. “I was made aware on Friday that the Head Coach didn’t want me to stay on as one of his assistants, I later had a meeting with him where he explained his reasons which I totally don’t accept,” Mashami said in a phone interview. In a separate interview, McKinstry also confirmed he requested for Mashami to step aside for ‘nothing personal’ but for the best of the team which is gearing up for the African Nations Cup Championship next month. “All the specific reasons were discussed in private with Mashami and the senior management team. Like I said before, the decision was taken in the best interest of the team. I prefer to remain with one assistant coach (Jimmy Mulisa), we won’t need a replacement for Mashami,” the Irishman said refusing to say exactly why he didn’t want Mashami to be part of his coaching team. Amavubi coach Johnny McKinstry does not want Mashami as part of his coaching team. The 32-year-old Mashami joined the national side in September on a two-year deal from APR where he was part of the coaching team that won two league titles. Mashami was also the U17 Amavubi assistant coach when the youngsters stormed the 2011 Africa U17 youth championship final losing to Bukina Faso 2-1 but qualified for the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Amavubi is currently in non-residential training until after the festive season when they will head to Rubavu to intensify preparations for CHAN. Amavubi are in Group A alongside Africa giants Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and Gabon. The 4th edition of the biannual Championship of African Nations (CHAN) is slated for January 16- February 6 and will be played in 3 cities in Kigali, Rubavu and Huye. editorial@newtimes.co.rw