Amavubi too close yet too far

Prior to that ill-fated game against Ethiopia last Saturday, I had harshly bullied my Ugandan friends that unlike their country, Rwanda would qualify for the 2014 African Nations Cup (CHAN).My confidence was based on history. Although both were unlucky or not good enough to qualify in the past, Rwanda had represented East Africa in 2004 whereas Uganda hasn’t graced the competition since the days of Idi Amin in 1978.As we all know now, I was wrong. Uganda qualified for CHAN and Rwanda didn’t. All that Rwanda needed was to win with a two-goal margin but as fate had it, we indeed won but with a goal less.We were then subjected to the torturous spot kicks which have reputedly been cruel to both the Amavubi and national clubs.In the end, the Ethiopians were the ones seen jumping with bliss while our players looked for a shade to hide their misery.To rub salt into the wound, our former coach, Micho Srodejovic, the one we fired in April for poor performance, is the one who fired Uganda into CHAN at his first attempt. Some would say that this is Karma; I call it a sting in the heart.It was terrible that we failed to qualify even when everything was in our favour – a motivated young side playing on home tuff, I mean, we couldn’t have asked for any better.But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining and I take pride in the fact that we played with heart!Those of us who watched the game can testify that our team looks very improved with impressive players like Andrew Buteera, Haruna Niyonzimana (who didn’t play against Ethiopia since he’s a pro) and Meddie Kagere.Despite having received a tirade from frustrated Rwandans in the past, including President Paul Kagame himself, Amavubi have awoken again and with a little more effort at a time, they will surely get their target.One important thing that must be emphasized is the strength of the national league. Examples from successful nations show that there is a direct correlation between the strength of the national team and the strength of the national league.Maybe I am not that much in the know but I get to know of club ties only when they are probably a week before kickoff – and that is because I can easily access internet and am surrounded by people who tell me even before I ask.This means that the season’s fixture which comes out in September isn’t that well publicized, clubs are not well marketed and lastly, there is hardly any merchandise on the market for diehard fans to identify with their clubs.I would love to see for example a fixture between Rayon Sports and APR being advertised on billboards all over town, on TV and on the radio stations.This lack of information is the sole reason why many Rwandans still follow European clubs and don’t know what is going on in their own home stadiums.Probably there is a challenge of little capital flowing to the clubs, and maybe that is why there isn’t heavy investment.I suggest that the league management, which is FERWAFA, to start looking into value addition in making the league more lucrative.National clubs should also start thinking of how to entice fans by throwing a few jerseys, scarves and other products on the market, just to make ardent fans feel like they belong.Only then shall we see stadiums full to capacity every weekend, thus more money, a better league and finally, a better Amavubi.