By Jejje Muhinde,
Rwanda’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Rayon Sports departed to Mali on Wednesday early morning ahead of their first leg of the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup which will be played on Saturday, March 11 at Stade Modibo Keita in Bamako.
Rayon departed for Bamako aboard Ethiopian Airways to Addis Ababa before connecting to Bamako ready to battle Onze Createurs before hosting the Malian side in Kigali in the return leg next weekend.
Speaking ahead of the club’s departure on Tuesday evening, Coach Djuma Massoud told soka25east.com , “We are heading to Mali with an aim of picking a favorable result before we complete the remaining task in Kigali during the return leg,”
“Our mission is to get a good result away from home; we are going to face a strong solid side which relies on defending based on a few of their footages that I have managed to see. I believe we have a strong squad which can get a good result away from home our,” Massoud revealed
Rayon won the preliminary round with a 6-0 goal aggregate against South Sudan’s Al Wau Salaam, go into the Western African clash boosted with the additions of Malian internationals in duo of strikers Moussa Camara and Tidiane Kone who was this week approved to feature in the first round by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Rwandan league table leaders are doing well in the Azam Rwanda Premier League where they are currently leading the standings with 43 points on the otherhand are without injured left back Sibomana Abouba who was this year signed from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia as well central defender Mutsinzi Ange who is suspended with a red card in the previous round.
If the Rwandan Peace Cup wins the first round double legged-match, they will qualify to the play-off round where the 16 winners of the first round will face the 16 losers of the Champions League first round. The 16 winners of the play-off round will advance to the lucrative group stage.
Rayon Sport Delegation:
Players: Nova Bayama, Irambona Eric, Kwizera Pierre, Manzi Thierry, Mugisha Francois, Muhire Kevin, Munezero Fiston, Ndayishimiye Eric (C), Nshuti Dominique Savio, Niyonzima Olivier, Mugabo Gabriel, Mutuyimana Evariste, Kakule Mugheni Fabrice, Moussa Camara, Nahimana Shassiri, Nzayisenga Moustafa and Tidiane Kone.
Staff: Olivier Gakwaya (Head of Delegation), Massoud Djuma Irambona (Coach), Nshimiyimana Maurice (Assistant Coach), Romami Marcel (Fitness Coach), Manirakiza Claude (G.K coach), Mugemana Charles (Doctor).
