Rayon Sports Flies To Juba For A Clash With Al Salam Wau

Last evening Rayon Sports Vice Coach, Maurice Nshimiyimana, assembled his 18-man squad against Al Salam Wau of South Sudan for the first leg match in the CAF Confederation Cup this Saturday.

Nshimiyimana made the selection on the last minute late in the evening after a training session at Amahoro Stadium. Pressure is mounting on Nshimiyimana due to the importance of a victory.

Skipper Eric Ndayishimiye Bakame said Rayon Sports will humiliate the South Sudan National Cup champions before a return leg later in Kigali.

Speaking to Taarifa at the Amahoro turf after the last training session, Ndayioshimiye said the team is pumped-up not to lose such an early match.

With the recent bad performances by Rwandan teams internationally, “I can assure our fans that we will reach the CAF Confederations cup group stages.” “We will defend our country,” Eric Ndayishimiye said.

Being a youth dominated team, most players are going to play in this tournament for the first time unlike goalie Ndayishimiye, Burundian midfielder Pierro Kwizera, left back Abouba Sibomana, full back Mugabo Gabriel and Malian striker Moussa Camara and left winger Savio Nshuti.

Meanwhile, fans had begun speculating as to why the team hasn’t touched base in South Sudan’s Capital Juba.

Vice Coach, Maurice Nshimiyimana, explained that he could not send his squad to get burnt under the scorching sun of the desert South Sudan.

“We decided to fly to South Sudan late because going there early would not help our players … we chose to fly only a day before the game lest we be affected badly by the hot weather conditions in South Sudan,’’ said Nshimiyimana.

He however explained that all his players are fit to play the Saturday game except for defending midfielder Niyonzima Olivier Sefu and left back Ivan Ssenyange.

Departure is 12: 30pm local time alongside another plane full of fans. Rwandans who live in South Sudan have prepared to receive the team. Rwandan UN peacekeeping troops have also organized a special ceremonial welcome for the team.

Rayon Sports last played an international game in 2014 when they were knocked out by the Congolese side Les Leopards de Dolisie on the “away goal difference” after drawing by 0-0 in Brazzaville and 2-2 in

Meanwhile, rivals APR FC departed Thursday and arrived safe in Lusaka to play against Zambia’s Zanaco FC this Saturday in the CAF Champions league.

The Line Up