Sunday

Rayon Sports vs Panthère 1-0 (agg. 2-0)

Striker Isaac Muganza netted a spectacular goal to inspire Rayon Sports to a 1-0 victory over Cameroonian side Panthère Sportive du Ndé in the Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round return leg game yesterday at Amahoro stadium.

Rayon, who also won 1-0 in the first leg in Doula a fortnight ago, go through to the first round where they will face Egyptian giants Zamalek.

Leo Uwambazimana, scorer of the lone strike in Cameroon, made a spirited run on the right flank before cutting on the inside and passing to a very alert Muganza in the penalty box, who quickly slotted the ball past Panthère goalkeeper Theo Lali Fodjo in the 13th minute to send the home fans into wild celebrations.

The Blues embarked on several counterattacks with Peter Otema using the left flank and Muganza on the right but these efforts did not amount to much in the final third with several goal attempts going wide.

In the 69th minute, Muganza picked up a pass from the centre line, made a run at goal but was stopped in the penalty box by Panthère’s central defensive duo of Meuteng Meuteng and Francis Eboungue Eyoum.

Muganza sustained an injury to his right ankle and was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Burundian midfielder Pierrot Kwizera, who brought positive energy into the Blues’ attack in injury time.

Rayon Sports interim head coach Sosthene Habimana said, "We prepared for this game and it is very rewarding that we have qualified for the next round. Honestly, we played very well.”

Panthère’s head coach Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso said, "There are so many things to do now because we have just started the league in Cameroon and we have played three games, all of them are draws and it is normal not to be on top of our game.”

Rayon Sports will face Zamalek in the first round with the first leg scheduled for the weekend of March 13-15 in Egypt and the return leg in Kigali during the weekend of April 3-5.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw