Hey angered by Cecafa treatment as Rwanda struggle

Rwanda head coach Antoine Hey Thursday launched an angry broadside against Cecafa organisers over logistical issues he claims are cause to his team’s stuttering start to the Cup competition.

Hey blasted hosts Kenya over poor team transportation and accommodation as well as ‘harassment’ during their opening tie against his former team Harambee Stars which they lost 2-0.

The German tactician ignored the press who were awaiting a post-match briefing following that loss which preceded a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Zanzibar.

His team has only managed to pick one point thus far thanks to their barren draw against guests Libya.

“For record, I don’t count Kenya’s match in this tournament. You saw what happened in Kakamega, I even refused to address the media after the match.

“Everything was pathetic; poor transport and hotel, bad food and forgettable reception. May be it would have been different, but I have seen good progress in the team reflecting on all the mtches in preparation for Chan,” Hey said.

He however acknowledged his players have been blunt all campaign but backed them to find hit form ahead of the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) in Morocco.

“We have managed just a goal in three matches and that is something we must address. You can excuse some of the players for stupid mistakes they do because they are young boys who are still learning,” he added.

Hey admitted his team has the slightest of chances of advancing to the Cecafa knockout phase as they trail Group A leaders Zanzibar who have two wins in two outings and Kenya who are on four points after two matches.

It means the only way for Rwanda to qualify is beating by Tanzania Mainland by a huge margin and hope Kenya loses all their remaining matches.

Pragmatism or rhetoric

“We will play to win the last match and see what happens, but I insist it would be no achievement to win here without Chan in mind.”

Pragmatism or rhetoric underlying in the paradox of Hey’s principle of preparing for a big tournament by losing in a smaller one is not far from testing, barely a month remaining to Chan.

Among the opponents Rwanda will face in Chan is Libya, another team that has seemingly perfected the art of keeping clean sheets without scoring in Cecafa, hence the three 0-0 results against Kenya, Tanzania and the Amavubi Bees.

West African powerhouses Nigeria, and Equatorial Guinea complete Group C of the continental championship, underscoring the assignment that awaits Hey after the Senior Challenge.