Sunday  

Preliminary round: first leg

AC Leopards       vs            Rayon Sports

Young defender Alype Majyambere was named in Rayon Sports’ 18-man squad which will face AC Leopards in the preliminary round of this year’s CAF Champions League on Sunday in the Republic of Congo.

The former Ferwafa academy player received the surprise call up after he impressed head coach Luc Eymael in training this week.

And, Majyambere, 20, unknown during Didier Gomes da Rosa reign, is likely to earn a starting place ahead of the inconsistent Arafat Serugendo, in a defensive setup led by Hussein Sibomana.

Majyambere joined Rayon at the start of the season but struggled to nail down a position in the team under Gomes.

The former coach instead preferred Iddi Nshimiyimana, who has now been let out by Eymael.

Also in the squad are Robert Ndatimana, Leo Uwambajimana and Jakech Samson who have had more playing time in recent days than during Gomes’ era.

Rayon Sports departed for Brazzaville yesterday along with just about 25 fans led by club president Theogene Ntampaka and general secretary Olivier Gakwaya.

After naming the squad, Eymael said: "We are heading to Congo with a positive mind and I believe we can get a good result there.”  

"We have studied our opponents very well and hopefully we will fly Rwandan flag high,” added the Belgian.

AC Leopards host Rayon Sports in the first leg tie on Sunday, with the return leg due in Kigali seven days later.

Eymael will be handling his first continental assignment with the Blues after registering a 4-2 win over AS Muhanga in his first domestic league match.

Rayon Sports are returning to Africa Champions League for the first time since 2005.

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

Final squad:

Luc Ndayishimiye, Gerard Bikorimana, Karim Nizigiyimana, Abouba Sibomana, Moses Kanamugire, Arafat Serugendo, Hussein Sibomana, Alype Majyambere, Robert Ndatimana, Leo Uwambajimana, Aphrodis Hategekimana, Fuadi Ndayisenga, Djamal Mwiseneza, Meddie Kagere, Gentil Salita Kambale, Jakech Samson, Cedric Amissi and Jacques Cyubahiro.