Orange CAF confederations cup

Rayon Sports 0-3 Zamalek (Agg 1-6)

Rayon Sports were, yesterday, eliminated from the Orange Confederations cup after losing to Egyptian giants Zamalek 3-0 at Amahoro stadium.

Ahmed Eid ended the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a fantastic strike into the top left corner beating goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye who was left exposed after Huberto Manzi and Faustin Usengimana failed to contain the Egyptian forward.

Minutes later the Egyptian side got another goal after Ali Gabr rose high above the Blues’ defense to head the ball into the net giving Zamalek a 2-0 lead which gave the Egyptians a 5-1 aggregate putting the game beyond Rayon Sports reach.

In the 56th minute, Ibrahim Salah scored a third for the visitors to seal a much deserved victory for Jesualdo Ferreira’s side that saw them book a berth against Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the last 16 of the continental competition.

Rayon Sports substitute Aphrodis Hategekimana who came on for striker Isaac Muganza almost nicked a consolation goal in the 85th minute but his effort was saved by substitute goalkeeper Mahmoud Abd Elrehim who replaced the injured Ahmed Nasser Mahmoud.

Blues’ coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga said that, "Sometimes you have to accept defeat and admit that your opponent was stronger than you. Zamalek was very balanced in every department and when they scored the first goal, it really destabilised us and it meant that we needed four goals to qualify. It even got worse when they scored a second and then a third.”

Kayiranga, who has been in charge of the Blues for a week, explained that he was not shocked by the result citing the quality of players he had and the experience they have.”

His counterpart Ferreira was contented with his side’s performance, "We played a high quality game. It was balanced, especially at the beginning of the second half, we started very well. We were happy when we scored those two goals.”

Zamalek will now face Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the round of 16 with the first leg scheduled to be played on the weekend of April 17-19 and the return leg May 1-3.

Rayon’s elimination leaves Rwanda with no club left in any continental competition after APR crashed out of the CAF Champions League on Saturday at the hands of Al Ahly, after losing 4-0 on aggregate.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw