Amavubi head coach Stephen Constantine has vowed to end Rwanda's 22-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting that his mission is to change the national team's fortunes and guide them to the 2027 continental showpiece. The national team will launch its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Liberia at Amahoro Stadium on Friday. The British tactician believes Rwanda have the talent, commitment and momentum needed to finally return to Africa's biggest football stage, having last appeared at the tournament in Tunisia in 2004. Speaking during a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Constantine said his focus is not on Rwanda's past disappointments but on building a team capable of changing the country's football history. What happened over the past 22 years is in the past. I came here to set things right, Constantine said. There is a lot of work to be done, including focusing on young players, which I believe will help us build a stronger future and achieve our objectives, he added. The former India coach was particularly upbeat about the quality of players at his disposal, describing the current squad as one of the strongest he has worked with during a coaching career spanning more than three decades. In more than 30 years of coaching, this is one of the best squads of players I have had. It is something I am pleased about, and I am confident it will bring positive results in tomorrow's match, he said. Amavubi captain Djihad Bizimana echoed his coach's confidence, insisting the players are fully aware of the expectations of Rwandans and determined to deliver. We are confident and determined not to lose any of our home matches. We feel this is the right time to take Rwanda back to the Africa Cup of Nations and bring joy to our supporters, he noted. Rwanda and Liberia have faced each other twice in AFCON qualifying campaigns, with each side claiming one victory. Liberia edged Rwanda 3-2 in Monrovia during the 2008 AFCON qualifiers before Amavubi responded with an emphatic 4-0 win in Kigali a year later.
