
McKinstry kept confidence in the majority of players who were key in last year’s CECAFA Challenge Cup tournament were Rwanda finished runner-up, losing 1-0 to Uganda in the final.
Speaking to Cafonline.com on Thursday, Amavubi coach McKinstry said, “both the coaching staff and I are pleased with the final list of 23 that we have been able to put together following the last few weeks of training.
“It was very difficult to assign the last few places in the squad as all 32 players (in the provisional squad) have worked tirelessly over recent weeks; and as such some were naturally disappointed to have just missed out.
“Ultimately, we considered a range of factors in deciding who was selected and who wasn't. This included things like technical and tactical ability, physical fitness and stamina, and performance during training camp in both sessions and the games that we have played.
“It is never easy to tell players that they will not be part of a tournament but I would like to thank them for all their efforts and have also assured them that we will continue to monitor their progress for future camps.
“For the 23 selected, Rwandans can be confident that they will give everything they have in pursuit of top performance. And when they do that, I am confident we will not be far away from maximising our potential at CHAN 2016.”
Rwanda face DR Congo in a friendly on Sunday, 10 January 2016 in Rubavu, their last test game ahead of the opening match against Cote d’Ivoire six days later.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Eric Ndayishimiye (Rayon Sports), Olivier Kwizera (APR Fc) and Jean Claude Ndoli (APR Fc)
Defenders: Michel Rusheshangoga (APR), Fitina Omborenga (SC Kiyovu), Celestin Ndayishimiye (Mukura VS), Mwemere Girinshuti (Police Fc), Faustin Usengimana (APR Fc), Abdul Rwatubyaye (APR Fc), Emery Bayisenge (APR Fc) and Fiston Munezero (Rayon Sports)
Midfielders: Yannick Mukunzi (APR Fc), Djihad Bizimana (APR Fc), Rachid Kalisa (Police Fc), Hegman Ngomirakiza (Police Fc) and Amran Nshmiyimana (Police Fc)
Forwards: Dominique Savio Nshuti (Rayon Sports), Innocent Habyarimana (Police Fc), Jean Claude Iranzi (APR Fc), Jacques Tuyisenge (Police Fc), Yussufu Habimana (Mukura VS), Ernest Sugira (AS Kigali) and Dany Usengimana (Police Fc).