Irishman Johnny McKinstry has been given the reigns of the Rwanda national football team.

The 29-year-old was the favourite to take charge of the Amavubi, and beat out shortlist rivals Hans Michael Weiss, Jose Manuel Ferreira de Morais and Engin Firat to be named Rwanda coach.

The former Sierra Leone coach confirmed the news by way of his official Twitter account, from which he tweeted: “I am delighted to confirm that I have accepted @rwanda_fa’s offer to become head coach of the Rwanda national team.”

The East African side has been without a coach since January, when Stephen Constantine resigned.

The Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) have organised a friendly international match against Zambia on March 29 in Lusaka, which will be McKinstry’s first assignment with the Amavubi Stars.

The new tactician will have his hands full with the Rwanda national team, preparing them for qualification campaigns for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and 2018 World Cup, which commence in June and October respectively.

He will also be keeping an eye on the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be held in Rwanda at the beginning of next year.

One of his priorities will be to prepare the locally based players for that important tournament, which they will experience as the host nation.