Rayon Sports coach, Roberto Oliveira Gonçalves do Carmo ‘Robertinho,’ has urged the club to buy a prolific striker for him to achieve his ambitions to fight for the league title and hence compete in continental competitions.
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Robertinho made the comments after Rayon beat Muhazi United 1-0 in a friendly match that took place on Wednesday, July 31, at Kigali Pele Stadium. He was coaching his first game since returning to the club last week.
Robertinho’s side returns to action at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, August 4, when they take on Tanzanian powerhouse Azam FC on the occasion of club’s annual celebration known as ‘Rayon Sports Day.’
Asked if he has already identified his starting 11 against Azam, the Brazilian tactician said he still needs players, especially strikers, a crucial issue that he will address to club president Jean Fidèle Uwayezu as soon as they meet.
"Yes, we need strikers, strikers who can play within the 18-yard box. I need to make a plan with our president to solve it because it’s very important,” Robertinho said.
"The important thing is not the friendly match; I need to build a team and work hard. It’s not easy, but I have to solve it to have a very strong team to win the league, that’s the goal, and then we get the Champions League ticket, that’s my goal.”
"But it’s not easy; we need to buy very good players, sometimes expensive players, that’s the truth for us. I have a plan with the President [...] We will discuss many things for those reasons; there are key positions that need [quality] players to win the league, to win the derby [against APR], to play in the Champions League,” he added.
Robertinho is embarking on his second spell with the Blues who have not won the league title since he left in 2019.
He arrived when the club had bought a number of players including Patient Ndikuriyo, Fitina Omborenga, Richard Ndayishimiye, Omar Gning, Olivier Niyonzima, Fiston Ishimwe, Nshimiyimana Emmanuel, Abdul Rahman Rukundo, Haruna Niyonzima, and Prinsse Elenga-Kanga.
The most recent signings are Kevin Muhire who renewed his deal until June 2026 and 20-year-old Malian midfielder Adama Bagayogo, who signed a three-year contract as a reward of his performance during the preseason where he has so far scored two goals in four friendly matches.
Bagayogo is among six youth team players that the club plans to utilize in the senior team this season.
On Sunday, July 28, Rayon Sports President Uwayezu Jean Fidèle revealed additional players will be signed based on the reinforcements that the coach wants to make.
Two days after the interview, the club welcomed Senegalese defender Youssou Diagne, who played for Ittihad Zemmouri de Khémiss in Morocco, and striker Fall Ngagne from FK Viagem Příbram in the Czech Republic.
They arrived shortly after Gabonese striker Nathanael Iga Ndwangou, 21. However, none of these three players have officially signed contracts yet as Robertinho insists on first testing their capacity.