Rwanda appoint new coach ahead of Ghana clash

Rwanda have named new coach Yaoundé Gilbert Kanyankore to take charge of the squad just two weeks before they face Ghana in their final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The local coach, who is in charge of top-flight side APR, takes over as the Amavubi coach just hours after British coach Johnny McKinstry was sacked.

He has signed a one-year contract that will see him to work only when Amavubi have commitments and not as a full time employee.

In effect this is a temporary arrangement that will see Kanyankore take over the reins of Rwanda in the last AFCON 2017 qualifier in Accra.

“We have decided to settle for a locally based coach who understands what we want. He has a lot of experience and understands Rwanda as a country, the team and our main focus,” said Guy Rurangayire who is the the Rwanda Ministry of Sports and Culture head of national teams.

Kanyankore, who is currently in charge of the most successful club in Rwanda - APR, brings in a lot of experience having had stints at two of the oldest clubs in Rwanda in Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu.

Kanyankore, a Rwandan by nationality, has spent most of his coaching career in Burundi with the renowned Vital’O spanning a trophy laden quarter of a century.

He will be assisted by Amavubi legends Eric Nshimiyimana and Jimmy Mulisa who belong to the golden generation that qualified for Afcon 2004 in Tunisia, the only time Rwanda has been to the continent’s premier competition.

Rwanda blew their only chance to book a ticket to Afcon 2017 in Gabon when they lost 1-0 to Mauritius in Belle Vue in March before succumbing to a relentless Mozambique 3-2 in Kigali in June. The squandered six points would have brought their tally to 12 and among the few nations tussling for best second placed side in 11 qualifying groups.

Benin Republic currently lead the best second placed teams standings with 11 points while Tunisia, Uganda and Central African Republic are tied on 10 points with a +10, +3 and +1 goal difference in that order.