McKinstry: We want to finish the job on a high note

07 May 2015 02:19

Rwanda coach Jonathan McKinstry has named 18-man team which will face Somalia in the return leg of the first round of the Africa U-23 Championship Senegal 2015 qualifier on Sunday at Gouled Stadoium in Djibouti.

Speaking to cafonline.com, McKinstry said, “We have had a good week of training and I believe the boys are ready for the task ahead. We still needed to correct a few things from the first leg and I am glad we have managed to do that.

“We are confident going into the second and we believe a draw would be sufficient but we will be going for a win. We are looking forward to the game. We must go and finish the job on a positive note and start thinking about the second leg,” he added.

Four beef up Amavubi 23 squad

McKinstry has received a major boost going into the second leg with availability of four players, who missed out on the previous encounter for obvious reasons.

They include first-choice goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera, right back Michel Rusheshangoga, central defenders Faustin Usengimana and Djihad Bizimana.

“It’s a big boost to have four additional players at this stage. This is going to motivate the team and I believe our performances in the return leg will be more pleasing compared to the first leg.”

Rwanda won the first leg 2-0 in Kigali a fortnight ago courtesy a goal in each half from Yannick Mukunzi and Kevin Muhire.

In the other fixture, Kenya will seek to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Botswana in Nairobi on Saturday.

The winners will advance to the second round of the qualifiers for the African U-23 Championship, where the top three teams will represent the continent at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Fixtures

Saturday, 9 May 2015

Kenya vs Botswana (0-3)

Sunday, 10 May 2015

*Somalia vs Rwanda (0-2)

*Will take place in Djibouti

Confederation of African Football (CAF) News