McKinstry laments loss against Ghana

Rwanda coach Johnny McKinstry is crestfallen at the outcome of his side’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana on Saturday.

On one of the most terrible pitches in football at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Mubarak Wakaso stung the Amavubi with the winner from a free-kick on 85 minutes to give the Black Stars all three points.

“I am disappointed we didn’t get anything from the game,” McKinstry said.

“But I must salute my players, for they gave their best to get something from Ghana but we just couldn’t get a shot on goal, but all I am happy with the effort of the players.

“We had a clear game plan and it worked so well until late in the game when we made one mistake and paid for it.”

With Asamoah Gyan and Kwadwo Asamoah sidelined, Avram Grant paraded a strong squad including in-form Swansea winger Andre Ayew, Chelsea’s Abdul Rahman Baba, Leicester’s Jeffery Schlupp and Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew.

“When you play against very good teams like Ghana, you need to be alert the whole game because you give them one chance, you will be punished,” McKinstry added.

The victory handed Ghana a piece of revenge, after the Black Stars fell by a similar 1-0 score line to the Amavubi in Kigali in a 2004 Afcon qualifier, preventing Ghana from partaking in the final tournament.

Leaders of the group with six points after two matches, the Black Stars face Mozambique while Rwanda take on Mauritius when the qualifiers return in March 2016.