The Amavubi coach would lead his side against the Black Stars in a fortnight and has already started what appears to be a mind game

Rwanda coach Jonathan Brian McKinstry has attributed Ghana’s rise in football in recent times to his side, ahead of their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 5.

The two sides are set to meet in Kigali, 12 years after the Amavubi Stars denied Ghana a place at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a famous 1-0 victory at home in the qualifiers.

“Everybody knows that the last time Ghana came, Rwanda pulled off an excellent result,” McKinstry told the media on Thursday after announcing his 28-man provisional squad for the September 5 clash.

“They are very different teams now and in fact, looking over the record, I wonder if Ghana did ever thank Rwanda for that result.

“You might say why thank you? But Ever since that result, Ghana have been on an upward trend.

“That was almost the result that made them wake up because since not qualifying for Afcon 2004, the direction of the two nations, football wise, has been so different.

“Since then, Ghana have been at every Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup finals. And that was the high point for Rwandan football in the last generation whereas for Ghana, it was the low point and they have [since been] on a very successful trend.”

The 30-year-old manager, who hails from Northern Ireland, also spoke about his objectives for the upcoming encounter.

“If we don’t get the three points, it won’t be a disaster,”McKinstry said.

“They have got so many good players in their team and we will not focus on one or two players because if we do so, somebody else will score the goal.

“If we got one player on the team who is not performing, Ghana are the type of team who will capitalise on that.”