RAYON SPORTS have extended the contract of the team’s head coach Ivan Minneart until the end of the 2018/2019 season where he will earn US$45,000 (around Rwf38,790,000) in 13 months.

Minneart has been working as the blues’ interim coach after replacing Olivier Karekezi in February. Minneart guided Rayon Sports into the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the first time in history.

Rayon Sports’ secretary-general and spokesperson, Bernard Itangishaka, told Times Sport that Minneart continues to do an outstanding job after taking the team to the Confederation Cup’s group stage. According to him, Minneart has been tasked to win either the national football league or the Peace Cup and reach far in the Confederation Cup.

He added: "The idea is to perform well and the good thing is that he knows our team quite well. It is a new challenge for him, but we believe he will be successful.”

Minneart confirmed the signing of the new contract after his side humiliated Bugesera 5-0 in an Azam Rwanda Premier League match on Saturday.

"Finally, I have signed a contract until the end of the 2018/2019 season.

"A key factor in my decision to come to Rayon Sports was the potential that I saw in the team. In the last 3 months, we have begun to demonstrate what is possible. That journey is, however, only beginning and so I’m delighted to be able to have agreed to a new deal.

"A key part of me being persuaded to accept a contract was that Rayon Sports were willing to support my vision for the key steps that are required to allow the team to progress to the next stage of their development.”

In the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, Rayon Sports were drawn in Group D alongside regional titans, Young Africans of Tanzania and Gor Mahia of Kenya. Algerian side USM Algiers are the fourth member of the pool.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw