Rwanda’s coach Vincent Mashami has acknowledged that Uganda played better than his side during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match on Thursday, 7th October 2021 at Nyamirambo Stadium.
The Cranes earned a sugary away win over Rwanda courtesy of Israel-based striker Azizi Fahad Bayo’s only goal in the 41st minute.
After the match, Mashami told the press that it is a game we lost and we’re disappointed, we had prepared wll, but Uganda was better, we didn’t utilize our chances.
“We tried to make a difference in the second half by bringing some new blood and more energy; but the game continued to raise the bar as you saw Uganda was not an easy team. I can only say ‘sorry “because we lost this game, we wanted to beat Uganda, I think it would be a joy but we don’t like it.” He added.
Mashami further told reporters that he has nothing to blame for Amavubi’s performance today as he had called all the players insisting that Amavubi is not very far from the others.
“The players we have are the ones we summon, the players we have are the ones we use, and now I would tell you that there is a special player we have left out. We try to make a difference, we give other players a chance to create a team that has a long-term future” He noted.
“We still don’t have enough power in defense as well as upfront. I think that’s where we lost the game .We were confident that we could get out of the back and equalize or win but that didn’t happen” He underscored.
In terms of change in the next game, Mashami disclosed that there has to be a change for the reason that players such as Fitina Omborenga will be out because he is injured, insisting that they still have a lot of hard work to do.
When asked about the request from the fans to resign the coach replied “What I can tell you is that I am not afraid of the fact that maybe I will quit my job, I do not know why I should resign because it is not in my contract”
On the other hand, his counterpart Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic also noted that it was an invisible match, Mashami prepared well, he is a top class coach we hard certain problems in the wide areas….they (Amavubi) made us busy; we scored the goal in the right moment. We pushed the opponent to play long balls which is not easy to play against my side.
When asked if it’s time for veterans like Haruna Niyonzima, Kagere Meddie, and Jacques Tuyisenge to exit the Amavubi, Micho replied, “Depending on your technical decision I can’t think for you, I know what is for Uganda, same like post Charles Oyango era, that is what we’re thinking about.
“We ( in Uganda) give a chance to players with clubs. We’re not entertained by names. You need to know that clubs are supposed to supply the national team with players”
About the return leg in Uganda the Serbian stressed, “We got three points, but don’t forget football is tricky and unpredictable; we shall not underrate Rwanda in Kitende”
The return leg between the countries is slated on Sunday at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
