Rayon Sports Women head coach Claude Rwaka is optimistic his team will be ready for continental challenge as they look to make their debut in the CAF Women's Champions League football.
Rayon Sports WFC will represent Rwanda at the 2024/25 CAF Women's Champions League after winning the domestic league, ending AS Kigali women’s dominance.
The tournament’s campaign will start with CECAFA Zonal qualifiers slated for August 17 until September 4 in Ethiopia.
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The Blues found themselves in the Group A alongside Ethiopian champions CBE FC, Kenya Police Bullets, Yei Joint Stars of South Sudan and Warrior Queens of Zanzibar while Group B comprises Simba Queens of Tanzania, PVP Buyenzi of Burundi, Ugandan champions Kwempe Muslim Ladies and FAD Djibouti.
Rwaka, who inspired Rayon women to the league title and Peace Cup double, is aware of the task awaiting his ladies but he remains ready to get the team up and running and push to reach the next stage.
"We’re very excited to win two tournaments but we are also happy to be in the Champions League. We have to be in the tournament regularly, it’s what a club like Rayon Sports deserves,” he told Times Sport.
"Our main objective is to qualify and come out of the group. We’ll take it one game at a time,” he added.
Rayon Sports women have recently signed a host of new foreign players as club aims to challenge for the 2024/25 CAF Women's Champions League.
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"The key is to ensure we remain in the competition on a long-term basis, and it is a challenge that excites us as well – for us there is no fear, we will embrace it. It’s probably too early for these games but after a good weeks training we should be ready for every match ahead,” Rwaka said.
Rayon Sports WFC are making their debut appearance in the Champions League after winning the title just one season since they were promoted from second division.
They went on to complete a double when they lifted the Peace Cup after beating Indahangarwa WFC 4-0 in the final. Striker Jeanine Mukandayisenga singlehandedly scored all four goals for the Blues during the one-sided crunch game.