It was a day of mixed feelings for Rayon Sports fans as their celebrations for winning an 8th league title were cut short by news of the resignation of their head coach Djuma Masudi, who announced his departure on Saturday after the Blues were crowned 2016/17 league champions.
It was a day of mixed feelings for Rayon Sports fans as their celebrations for winning an 8th league title were cut short by news of the resignation of their head coach Djuma Masudi, who announced his departure on Saturday after the Blues were crowned 2016/17 league champions.
Rayon Sports hosted CECAFA Kagame cup title holders Azam FC from Tanzania at Stade de Kigali in an event that was aimed to officially present the title to the Blues after champions Rayon Sport and Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) had earlier disagreed on when it should be handed over during the league.
Rayon Sports did no mistake to make their title celebrations more exciting thrashing Azam FC 4-2, thanks to goals from Pierrot Kwizera, AS Kigali bound Savio Dominique Nshuti, Kevin Muhire and Shassir Nahimana while Zayid Yahaya and Muhammed Yahaya scored the two consolation goals for Azam FC.
However, celebrations for their first league title since 2013 were cut short after the title presentation ceremony, when head coach and former captain Masudi announced his departure from the club’s dug out after one season citing personal reasons.
"I have decided to resign my duties and the reasons are personal but let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me achieve this specifically Rayon Sport fans, they loved me since day one until today,” said Masudi
His resignation comes three months after the club suspended him in April for two weeks following their exit from this season’s CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Nigeria’s Rivers United over what the club described as ‘inappropriate conduct.’
"During my suspension, the fans showed me support and Iove which touched my heart, I want to thank them because I came here without any status but they have helped me build a name, I have to say that Rayon Sports is my home and I am sad but grateful that I am leaving after winning the title which was my biggest objective,” he added.
Masudi joined Rayon in November 2015 as an assistant coach under Belgian tactician Ivan Minneart, who ended his ties with the club in February 2016 hence taking over as an interim coach until the end of 2015/16 season.
During his interim tenure, he guided the club to a Peace Cup title for a record 9th time, the first in nearly 11 years, hence qualifying for this year’s CAF Confederation Cup where they reached the playoff round for the first time in their history.
Ahead of the start of this just concluded season in August, Masudi was appointed the head coach signing a three-year contract until 2020.
In his first season, he led the Blues to the league title which they won with four games to spare before finishing the season with 73 points from 22 wins, seven draws, losing only one game.
Meanwhile for winning this season’s title, Rayon Sport walked away with Rwf25m plus Rwf3m for finishing in the top two, and another Rwf2m for finishing in the top four, Rwf2m for finishing in the top eight and Rwf10m meant for each of the 16 teams that participated in the league this season which makes it a total of Rwf42m.