Saturday

First legOnze Créateurs V Rayon Sports

Rayon Sports head coach Djuma Masudi has warned his players not to take anything for granted when they face Mali’s Onze Créateurs in the CAF Confederation Cup first-round.

The Rwanda Premier League table leaders flew to Mali on Wednesday ahead of the first leg match on Saturday at Stade Modibo Keita in Bamako. The return leg will be played the following weekend in Kigali at Amahoro National Stadium.

Before the team’s departure, Masudi said that CAF Confederation Cup is a tough competition.

"We have been doing well in the local league as well as the first stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, and we need to keep the winning spirit. I hope we will do a good job against Onze Créateurs. We’ve enjoyed every moment so far in the competition, but we have to continue working hard,” said Masudi.

Masudi noted his players have got the experience to play in big matches, and he is optimistic they will continue to improve as the season progresses.

"We cannot afford to take our foot off the gas, the players are aware that they need to stay focused because we still have a long way to go,” added the former Rayon Sports captain.

Masudi will go into tomorrow’s first leg against Onze Créateurs without central defenders Abdoul Rwatubyaye and Ange Mutsinzi as well as full back Abouba Sibomana and attacking midfielder Djabel Manishimwe

Rwatubyaye failed to attain a CAF licence in time following his move to Rayon in January; Mutsinzi was sent off in the preliminary round second leg against Al Salam Wau of South Sudan; while Manishimwe and Sibomana are missing the game due to injuries.

Rayon Sports advanced to the first round after knocking out El Wau Salaam on a 6-0 aggregate score.

Back at home, Rayon Sports lead the league table with 43 points, four ahead of archrivals APR FC albeit with a game in hand, while Police FC and AS Kigali are third and fourth, respectively, both with 36 points.

Rayon delegation to Mali:

Players: Eric Ndayishimiye (captain), Evariste Mutuyimana, Nova Bayama, Eric Irambona, Pierrot Kwizera, Thierry Manzi, Francois Mugisha, Kevin Muhire, Fiston Munezero, Dominique Savio Nshuti, Olivier Niyonzima, Gabriel Mugabo, Fabrice Mugheni Kakule, Moussa Camara, Shassir Nahimana, Moustafa Nzayisenga and Tidiane Kone.

Officials: Olivier Gakwaya (Head of delegation), Djuma Masudi (head coach), Maurice Nshimiyimana (assistant coach), Marcel Romami (fitness coach), Claude Manirakiza (goalkeepers coach) and Charles Mugemana (team doctor).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw