McKinstry and Lwaliwa in confident mood ahead of Uganda vs Rwanda CHAN encounter

Uganda and Rwanda will renew their football rivalry on foreign soil in their respective Group C opening match of the Total CHAN 2020 tournament at the Reunification Stadium in Douala on Monday night (8pm Local time, 10pm in Uganda)

The rivalry between the two African nations from the CECAFA region is well-known and football battles between the two sides are always full of intensity, emotions, beautiful football and any other ingredients that make a classic derby as each side tries to take hold of the bragging rights.

Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry who enjoyed great success in 2016 when he led hosts Rwanda to the Quarterfinals of the same competition will come up against his former employers Rwanda for the first time since leaving the job about 3 years ago.

And ahead of McKinstry’s reunion with the Amavubi Stars, confidence is soaring in the Uganda cranes camp after making impressive progress in the Pre-CHAN mini tournament.

The former Amavubi Stars tactician has disclosed that the historical relationship he has with Rwanda will be put aside during Uganda Cranes game on Monday with the Amavubi Stars.

“I have an emotional attachment with Rwanda. I was head coach of Rwanda in 2016. We have one objective-when we play Rwanda-winning will be on our mind. The historical relationship will be put aside. If it is not playing against Uganda, i have always wanted Rwanda to do well. It is a big East African derby”

McKinstry said on his reunion with his former employers.

McKinstry went ahead and acknowledged the uniqueness of the CHAN tournament,the need to treat every game in a special way and also stressed that Uganda Cranes has a talented group of players who can cause problems to their opponents.

“Every game is important.Every game is massive. If we play to our maximum level, we shall get the results we want. The CHAN tournament is where things can change very quickly. We believe we have players who can cause problems to our opponents in the group. First, let us get 3 points and continue planning for other matches”

Uganda Cranes Head coach Johnathan McKinstry said

The Northern Irishman is aware that Uganda has never made it out of the group stages of CHAN but believes it is an anomaly with the kind of quality players Uganda produces and has also disclosed their intention in this edition’s CHAN tournament.

“It is widely known that Uganda hasn’t been able to get out of the group stages of CHAN. To me it is an anomaly with the kind of quality players Uganda produces. We want to be here till the final weekend of CHAN”

Mckinstry noted as he elaborated on why Uganda has not been able to get out of the group stages before commenting about the strength of Uganda cranes players

“We feel we know their strengths. However we are making sure we cover up for that in our training sessions. It is really not about doing anything new but focusing on one or two specific areas of our style of play that will bring maximum benefit to the entire team for good results”

McKinstry said

On Uganda Cranes match with Rwanda on Monday, Mckinstry had this to say

“It is a big derby to start the tournament against Rwanda. Both countries are rivals. It is important for the players to know it is not about three points in the tournament but local bragging rights.Eighteen of the players played for me a couple of years ago. It is an experienced squad and hopefully my knowledge of the squad can get the results everyone at home and here are looking for”

McKinstry said before commenting on his side’s preparations

“We believe the preparations done by the team have mirrored in what we had initially planned even before the camp was cancelled in March. We have achieved 90-95% success with our preparations.We are continuing to climb the mountain we have set for ourselves as we know if we reach the top of it, we can be successful”

McKinstry noted

On the other hand, Uganda Cranes skipper Halid Lwaliwa disclosed that It has always been a dream for him and the players on the team to play in this tournament

“I am glad to be here. I am also happy that the team qualified for the CHAN Finals. It has always been a dream for me and the players on the team to play in this tournament.I think we can make it from the group stages”

“I have not watched any matches of Rwanda in action but we know their players from the U20, U23 and other National teams as we have been able to face off in the past against them. This team has been together for long. We believe we can go all the way”

UGANDA CRANES GROUP FIXTURE

Uganda Cranes will get their CHAN campaign underway against Rwanda on 18th January 2021 before meeting Togo on January 21st and wrapping their Group C campaign against defending champions Morocco on 26th January 2021.