Hey backs his Wasps to get their sting despite sluggish start

Rwanda national football team head coach Antoine Hey says he is not worried of his team’s two defeats in the ongoing Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, risking early exit in oldest regional competition.

The Wasps succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to hosts Kenya in the tournament opener on Sunday, before Tuesday’s 3-1 thrashing by minnows Zanzibar at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

However, the January 2018 African Nation Championship (Chan) bound team is well on course in the continental preparations, according to Hey.

“There is no better way to prepare for Chan other than using this tournament (Cecafa) to test all my players.

“I’m looking at the big picture, because there is no need for me to win all the matches here then I be exposed in the continental championship,” the former Harambee Stars coach, said.

Asked if the two defeats, construed by many to mean a rude welcome  to Kenya, the German asserted that “nothing was wrong so far”.

“Why call it a bad return when I’m building my team for Chan? So far I can count the positives of the two matches in the Chan perspective.

“Winning is good to everyone, but the question what next after the Senior Challenge is more important to me,” explained the German.

He at the same time congratulated Zanzibar for their display, saying they deserved the win, but maintained he has not lost hope of qualifying for the semis.

“We are still in contention, because we have two more matches. The more we stay in the tournament the more we benefit in our Chan rehearsals.

“We want to win and get a place in the semis, but we will give more players an opportunity because all are competing for a a place in the Chan squad,” added the tactician.

Despite his pre-occupation with Chan, Hey’s body language depicted a deeply disappointed man after the Zanzibar defeat, which leaves the 2015 finalists bottom of Group ‘A’.

Kenya leads with four points after their barren draw against Libya on Tuesday, followed by Zanzibar on three. Libya has two points after two draws (against Tanzania mainland on Saturday) hence their third place, with Tanzania who have a match in hand sitting fourth with a point.

Thus, Rwanda will need to beat both Libya and Tanzania with wide margins, and hope Kenya beats both Zanzibar and Tanzania to keep alive their semis prospect.

Only two teams from each group qualify for semi-finals set to be staged at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu on December 14 and 15 .

In Group B, Ethiopia lead with three points after their Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over South Sudan, while Burundi and Uganda share second spot with a point each after their Monday 0-0 result at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

South Sudan is pointless at the bottom, in a pool short of one team after Zimbabwe withdrew from the tournament,  three days to the competition kickoff, citing political instability.

The competition resumes on Thursday after Wednesday’s break, with three matches on schedule. Tanzania mainland will lock horns with ‘younger brothers’ Zanzibar at the Kenyatta Stadium from 2:00Pm EAT (+3GMT), before Rwanda face a stubborn looking Libya later from 4:00pm.

In Kakamega, Ethiopia will be seeking a second win in their match against Burundi, set for 3:00pm.