Johnny McKinstry has ticked nearly all boxes right in the first three months he has been in charge of the Uganda national football team.
Taking over the reins on September 30, the Northern Irishman has enjoyed a fine run that has seen the Uganda Cranes qualify for the 2020 Africa Nations Championships without much of his input.
He then went and smartly picked four points without conceding in the double-header away to Burkina Faso and at home to Malawi as the Cranes began the road to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations last month.
Now McKinstry wrapped up the year by returning home the glory of Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup when the hosts defeated Eritrea 3-0 in the final at Lugogo on Thursday.
This was a climax of a flawless streak that had Uganda winning all six duels and conceding just once in the process to lift a record 15th title.
“Extremely proud of all the Uganda Cranes players and staff for what has been a perfect run of six wins from six games to lift the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup,” stated McKinstry.
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“The last few months have seen steady improvement, and this is one more step in developing for future success,” he added.
Goals from Bright Anukani, Mustafa Kizza and Joel Madondo were enough to silence the vocal fans of Eritrea as Uganda savoured delighted last earned in Ethiopia four years ago.
McKinstry will be particularly elated with the confidence boost the triumph provides ahead of the 2020 Chan finals in Cameroon.
And more importantly, the collective effort by the Cranes who struck 14 times with eight different players, Anukani of Proline FC leading with three goals.
CECAFA SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP
FINAL
Uganda 3-0 Eritrea
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
Tanzania 1-2 Kenya
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
MVP: Robel Teklemichael (Eritrea)
Top Scorer: Oscar Wamalwa (Kenya) - 3 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Charles Lukwago (Uganda)
Fair Play Award: Uganda Cranes
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This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune