Rwanda head coach Stephen Constantine has expressed confidence within the Amavubi’s capacity to compete towards a few of Africa’s strongest groups within the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting his facet has the standard required to safe a historic return to the continental showpiece.
Rwanda had been drawn right into a difficult Group Okay alongside Mali, Cape Verde and Liberia. Nevertheless, the British tactician believes his gamers are able to rising to the event and mounting a severe problem for qualification.
Talking in an in-depth interview with FERWAFA, Constantine stated he stays optimistic about Rwanda’s possibilities regardless of being grouped with opponents who boast increased FIFA rankings and better continental pedigree.
“We now have qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations in addition to qualifiers for the Olympic Video games. I wish to reach each as a result of I didn’t come right here to lose,” Constantine stated.
The coach pressured that qualification should stay the final word goal and urged his gamers to method each recreation with confidence and ambition.
“We’re in a troublesome group with Cape Verde, a really sturdy facet, Mali, who’re among the many top-ranked groups in Africa, and Liberia, who’re additionally aggressive. However now we have to face them and beat them as a result of that’s the solely means we are able to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.
Constantine, who returned for a second stint as Rwanda coach earlier this 12 months, additionally made it clear that choice for the nationwide workforce might be based mostly on advantage fairly than status.
Based on the previous India and Nepal coach, gamers should earn their place within the Amavubi squad by common enjoying time and constant performances at membership degree.
“You can not contribute successfully in case you are not enjoying commonly in your membership. Whether or not a participant is predicated in Europe or elsewhere, what issues is that he’s enjoying and performing. Nationwide workforce locations have to be earned,” he pressured.
Constantine believes Rwanda have sufficient expertise to compete with any workforce in Group Okay and is decided to construct a squad able to securing the nation’s first AFCON qualification since 2004.
The Amavubi will start their Group Okay marketing campaign at house towards Liberia in Kigali on September 25 earlier than travelling to face Cape Verde 4 days later, on September 29.
The qualifying marketing campaign will resume in November 2026, when Rwanda face group favourites Mali in an important double-header that would have a significant influence on the race for qualification.
With house matches anticipated to play a decisive function in Rwanda’s marketing campaign, Constantine has challenged his gamers to make Kigali a fortress and safe most factors on house soil.
The 2027 AFCON might be collectively hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking the primary time the continental event might be staged in East Africa.
For Rwanda, securing qualification could be a significant milestone. Constantine believes the journey have to be constructed on confidence, self-discipline and an unwavering perception that Amavubi can compete with Africa’s finest.
“We now have good gamers, and we should consider in ourselves. The problem is hard, however we’re able to compete,” the coach stated.
The highest two groups in Group Okay will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
