It was an unfortunate debut for Amavubi coach Adel Amrouche. A disastrous opener for the new head coach of Amavubi since his first match ended in a 2-0 loss at home to Nigeria.
Amrouche, who was appointed to replace former German coach Torsten Spittler, faces a long journey ahead, guiding Rwanda in the long-entry qualification for the World Cup.
Supporters who crowded Amahoro Stadium Friday were hopeful for a lead extension by Amavubi but left disappointed after watching the team suffer their first home defeat to Nigeria.
The loss marked Amavubi’s second in Group C after five matches in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers.
Before facing Nigeria on match day five, Amavubi had accumulated seven points from four games but failed to add to that total.
Coach Amrouche, who opted for a 4-4-2 formation, implemented a number of changes and tactical strategies, but unfortunately the result remained unfavorable against Nigeria.
The 56-year-old coach, who has had stints coaching teams in the African nations of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Libya, and Botswana, feels well-resourced for his new assignment.
Yet again, there is hope from the Rwandans regarding the journey of Amavubi for World Cup qualification.
There are doubts regarding the capability of Coach Amrouche to meet high expectations after the encounter with Nigeria.
His vast experience in African football raises the hope that he will direct Amavubi to better performances in the future.
With Lesotho lined up for Tuesday, Amrouche needs to conjure something significant before the reality of their World Cup dreams evaporates into oblivion.
Joseph M. Vincent