Rayon Sports head Coach Ivan Minneart is relatively pleased with his side’s draw for the 2018 Total CAF Confederation Cup group stage held in Egypt on Saturday.
Nonetheless he does not expect any easy match.
Rayon Sports were drawn in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup, which also includes Kenya’s Gor Mahia, Tanzania’s Young Africans and USM Alger of Algeria.
Minneart said: "What we need is a strong start and to win our three home games. We are not scared of any of our opponents, especially since we know most of them. We will do all we can to win the games at home and then try to get more points away from home.”
To reach the group stage for the first time in the new CAF era, Rayon Sports eliminated Mozambican side CD Costa do Sol 3-2 on aggregate.
Rayon Sports FC will kick off their campaign at home to Gor Mahia of Kenya on May 6. The Kenyan giants have two Rwanda international strikers Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge in their ranks. Kagere will be facing his former club whom he played for during the 2013-14 season.
"It is important that we win our first game as this would boost our confidence,” the Rayon head coach said.
After their opening group campaign against Gor Mahia on May 6 in Kigali, Rayon will then travel to Tanzania for their second group game against Young Africans on May 16.
Former African champions ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco) and AS Vita (DR Congo) were drawn in Group A, which is completed by Ghana champions Aduana Stars.
Group B has RS Berskane (Morocco), Al Masry (Egypt), UD Songo (Mozambique) and El Hilal (Sudan), while two-time African champions Enyimba (Nigeria), debutants Williamsville (Cote d’Ivoire), CARA (Congo) and Djoliba (Mali) were drawn in Group C.
Groups
Group A: Asec Mimosa (Ivory Coast), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco), AS Vita (DR Congo), Aduana Stars (Ghana).
Group B: El Masry Club (Egypt), Rennaissance Sportive de Berkane (Morocco), Deportivo Do Songo (Mozambique), El Hilala (Sudan).
Group C: Williamsville Athletic Club (Ivory Coast), Club Athletique Rennaissance Aglons (Congo), Djoliba AC de Bamako (Mali).
Group D: Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Yanga SC (Tanzania), Gor Mahia (Kenya), U.S.M Alger (Algeria).
editorial@newtimes.co.rw