Sunday: First legAC Leopards vs Rayon Sports

Rayon Sports head coach Belgian Luc Eymael has told his players to expect a tough game when they face AC Leopards de Dolisie in the CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg at Stade Denis Sassou Nguesso Dolisie on Sunday.

The Rwandan champions depart today for Brazzaville aboard a RwandAir flight before making a 289km journey by road to Dolisie in Niari Province later this evening.

"We expect a difficult match because AC Leopards have a lot of experience in this competition, having reached the quarter-final last year before losing to eventual winners Orlando Pirates (South Africa),” Eymael said yesterday.

"It will be a tough battle; it’s not that easy to play in Congo-Brazzaville. We have to be at our best and stay focused and avoid making costly mistakes,” the Belgian added.

The return leg will be played in Kigali in a week’s time.

This will be Eymael’s first match with Rayon outside the country, after overseeing his side’s 4-2 win over AS Muhanga (his first game in charge of the champions) in the domestic league.

Rayon Sports will be playing their first Champions League match since 2005.

Should Rayon overcome the Congolese side, they will face the winner between 1ero Agosto of Angola and Lioli from Lesotho in the first round.