Kanyankore fired four days into Amavubi caretaker role

Four days after being appointed the Amavubi caretaker head coach, Gilbert Yaoundé Kanyankore, has been stripped of the role. Kanyankore confirmed to The New Times this morning that he and one of his assistants, Eric Nshimiyimana, had been informed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Lt Col Patrice Rugambwa, Tuesday morning that they were no longer needed for the interim Amavubi coaching role. The two had been dramatically appointed to the positions verbally on Friday and were due to sign contracts today, according to Kanyankore, who is the head coach for APR FC. “They have told us that we are no longer Amavubi coaches and we have to respect the decision,” said Kanyankore, who on Monday named a 23-man Amavubi squad for the September 3 African Cup of Nations qualifier away to Ghana. Eric Nshimiyimana was Tuesday morning informed that he was no longer needed. “The PS (Rugambwa) called us and said we are no longer part of the coaching staff but we were not told who is in charge now,” he added. The Amavubi head coach position fell vacant on Thursday after Irishman Johnny McKinstry, 30, was sacked after just over a year in charge – despite having extended his contract (until 2018) in May. Shortly after McKinstry’s sacking, PS Rugambwa had told The New Times that assistant head coach and former Amavubi forward Jimmy Mulisa would take charge on an interim basis, but later officials announced Kanyankore as the man to take the job on a temporary basis, with AS Kigali head coach Nshimiyimana and Mulisa deputising him. Ibrahim Mugisha was to retain the position of goalkeeping coach. Its unclear whether Jimmy Mulisa (C) will now be entrusted with the caretaker job going into the Ghana tie. The New Times understands that Mulisa, who also serves as the assistant technical director for the local football governing body, Ferwafa, will remain in his position although it remains unclear whether he will now be entrusted with the caretaker job going into the Ghana tie. Against the Group H leaders Black Stars, Rwanda has only pride to play for having missed out on the opportunity to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations finals in Gabon, following shock defeats to Mozambique and Mauritius. editorial@newtimes.co.rw