Rwanda head tactician Stephen ‘Philip’ Constantine has expressed commitment to his job despite the Amavubi Stars being disqualified from the 2015 AFCON Morocco competition.
Constantine who joined Rwanda in May this year affirms that he still has much to do.
“For my future, I am committed to Rwanda and we still have much to do”. The English–Cypriot football manager who holds a UEFA Pro License told Cafonline.com.
On 27th August 2014, the Appeals Board of CAF upheld the decision of the Organizing Committee of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations which disqualified Rwanda from the final group phase of qualifying for AFCON Morocco 2015.
Rwanda fielded striker Dady Birori in a AFCON match against Congo and was later reported to have been with double identities, making him an ineligible player for the campaign.
CAF established that he (Dady Birori), playing for Amavubi Stars, was the same person that played in the CAF Champions League with Congolese’s AS Vita Club using the name Etekiama Agiti Tady, hence the disqualification decision that landed Congo a chance to replace Rwanda in Group A.
“It was a great shame for us (Rwanda), we won fair and square beating both Libya and Congo and to be denied like this! (It) hurts. But we will continue to work and try and get better”. Constantine adds.
Rwanda will host the fourth edition of the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and the event is among Constantine’s targets to yield positives.
The 51 year old manager was on 15 May 2014 appointed as the new head coach of Rwanda national football team.
He prior managed the national sides of Nepal, India, Malawi, and Sudan, and has been first team coach of the English Championship side, Millwall.
Most recently, he managed Nea Salamis Famagusta FC in the Cypriot First Division, after guiding them to promotion from Second Division.
Constantine holds the UEFA pro license, and, as a member of FIFA’s elite coaches’ panel, runs courses around the world for coaches and instructors. He is married with three daughters.