Rwanda coach Antoine Hey ascribes his team’s 3-0 loss to Uganda in the 2018 CHAN qualifying tie at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday to biased refereeing.
The German gaffer also blames bad pitch and inexperience for the heavy loss.
Uganda went ahead in the 10th minute through Muzamir Mutyba, who converted from the spot after Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana awarded a contested penalty against Aimable Nsabimana for fouling Derrick Nsibambi.
“We conceded a penalty after ten minutes which in my point of view was unfair,” the former Kenya coach told FERWAFA.
“I cannot blame my players because they tried everything; going forward, worked very hard, very organized. We have days like these when things happen,” he added.
Hey holds the “unfair” decision “unsettled” his charges leading to the second goal, which came ten minutes later.
“The reality is when we conceded the goal; players became nervous and affected their concentration. We tried to reorganize and created some chances from set pieces but didn’t get that away goal.”
He is confident of a better return leg in a week’s time in Rwanda on a good surface.
“The second leg will be different with a better surface.”
The aggregate winner will qualify for the continental showpiece played strictly by home-based professionals scheduled for Kenya early next year.