Over the weekend, the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) officially announced the appointment of German national Antoine Hey as the new head coach of the national team, The Amavubi Stars.
Hey, 46, was awarded a two-year contract after beating Raoul Savoy (Switzerland) and Rui Aguas (Portugal) to the job.
The trio had made a three man final shortlist after a rigorous vetting process.
A top FERWAFA official who preferred anonymity told New Times that Hey was the best option given the sound relationship with Germany;
In Hey, I think we have made a good choice, especially considering that we have a partnership with Germany, but the official announcement will be made when Minister of Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu returns from the Leadership Retreat in Gabiro
Kawowo Sports has also learnt that the former Lesotho, Libya and Bahrain F.A Technical Director, US Monastir (Tunisian club), Kenya Harambe Stars, El Merriekh was also considered for his vast knowledge of African football and comfortable and acquitted to football in the CECAFA region.
The former midfielder featured for Fortuna Düsseldorf, Schalke 04, Birmingham City (England) and Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus) in active playing days.
He will receive a monthly salary of US$20,000 (about Rwf16.6m), part of which will be paid by the German Football Association (DFB).
Several coaches had applied to take the job which fell vacant last year in August when Johnny McKinstry was sacked.
Hey’s immediate task to help Amavubi Stars qualify for the CHAN 2018 finals in Kenya as well as a slot at AFCON 2019 in Cameroon.