The Championships, which are exclusively for African players playing in their own country's domestic leagues, are being staged in Rwanda in 2016 and Constantine is looking to ensure the host nation will acquit itself well when the tournament comes around.

"We realise there is a lot of work to be done and we know we need to do it now," the Englishman told the BBC following his appointment.

"It will be a fantastic honour for Rwanda to host the CHAN tournament in two years' time and we really want to do well.

"We will be building towards it.

"We have got to regain confidence and change results.

"We will do that with hard work, good preparation and make things as professional as we can.

"I think every little detail counts."

Constantine takes over the role from Eric Nshimiyimana, whose contract had been due to end on July 31, but has a big task on his hands to turn around the fortunes of the Rwandan national side who have lost 15 of their last 17 games.

The 51-year-old will go straight in at the deep-end as his first game in charge will be the second-leg of a qualifier for next year's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Rwanda secured a promising 0-0 draw in the first leg in Tunis against Libya, with the return leg set for May 31.

Rwanda last appeared at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 in Tunisia and they are taking part in the first of two qualifying rounds for the right to play in the group stages of the qualification process this time around.

"Obviously Rwanda have not been doing the right things over the last decade and that's why we are in this situation," said Constantine, a Londoner who spent time as first team coach at Millwall.

"We have a very difficult game against a very good Libya side.

"Of course our target is to beat them.

"We are playing at home and hopefully the people will come out and support the team.

"We want to play good football and get the win."

Constantine takes over a Rwanda side (yellow) that have won only one of their last 17 matches ©AFP/Getty Images




The experienced Constantine has been in charge of sides on the African continent before, spending a year in charge of Malawi from 2007 to 2008, followed by a spell with Sudan from 2009 to 2010.

He left the Sudan job after the team failed to qualify for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He has also coached the national side of Nepal and was in charge of India from 2002 to 2005.

Constantine admits bringing success to Rwanda will be not be a quick-fix but is excited by the prospect of working with some promising young players.

"You don't get success after one week or one month, it takes time," added Constantine, who has been working in club football in Cyprus and Greece in recent years.

"People will have to be patient.

"We can't change a team overnight.

"Rwandan football needs a boost.

"I think they are all good players - I watched the team against Libya and I think there is potential.

"But I think potential is a dangerous word.

"You need to work very, very hard to realise your potential."

Should Rwanda come through their tie with Libya, they will then play either Namibia or Congo in the second qualifying round, which will see games due to take place on July 18 to 20 and August 1 to 3.

The winners will then enter Group C of the qualifying proper along with 2013 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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