Saturday, November 2
Rayon Sports vs Kiyovu Sports (Kigali Pele Stadium)
Kick-Off: 6pm CAT
Rayon Sports will be looking to pile more misery on traditional rivals Kiyovu Sports when the pair face off at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, November 2.
The Rwanda Premier League resumes at a time the Green Baggies have been struggling for form losing five game in a row and Rayon, who have look rejuvenated under new head coach Roberto Oliveira Gonçalves do Carmo, also known as Robertinho, are eager to add more salt to their wounds by extending their winless streak to six games.
The fact that Kiyovu haven’t lost to Rayon in their past eight league meetings also gives the match a new dimension, and Robertinho could be the man to succeed where the likes of Yamen Zelfani, Andre Casa Mbungo and Francis Haringingo as long as he beats the Mumena-based side.
The local derby promises to live up to expectations as both teams have treated spectators to quality football anytime they meet.
Rayon Sports are currently 4th on the league table with 11 points from five games while Kiyovu are at the bottom with 3 points from six games.
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Kiyovu suspended their head coach Jospin Bipfubusa a week ago amid poor output and they are hoping to turn things around.
Games between the two teams have always been keenly contested. Kiyovu have had the upper hand in their last 8 outings dating back to May 5, 2021. Kiyovu have won 5 and drawn 3 while Rayon are yet to taste victory. The Blues will be aiming to exorcise that winless streak against the Green Baggies.
Rayon go into the game in positive mood following the return of former Rayon Sports presidents Sadate Munyakazi as well as Paul Muvunyi, four years after they were told to ‘step aside from being involved the club administration’s decision-making’ after then president Jean Fidele Uwayezu took office.
The duo, alongside other former club executives, were spotted at the club training base in Nzove, and pledged to clear all arrears that the club owes to the players by the end of November. They also reportedly promised to pay every player Rwf 150,000 in bonuses as long as they beat Kiyovu on Saturday.
A ‘united’ Rayon Sports
It had been reported that Muvunyi and Munyakazi were not eye-to-eye since the latter, during his reign, accused his predecessors, including Muvunyi, of match-fixing and mishandling the club during their time in office. He also indicated that club’s resources in excess of Rwf1 billion was embezzled between 2014-2019 where they were in charge of the club.
And when he inherited the club, he said, he putting all his efforts to put the club back to order by some them were ferociously opposed to the club’s progress.
But it seems the two have decided to bring the standoff to an end after they have in the recent days been seen together in various campaigns aimed at supporting the club. they were also spotted visiting the team in after Friday’s training session.
"Rayon Sports has never been a team that takes side. There is no team Munyakazi nor Muvunyi. There is one Rayon Sports here and this is the same team were here for,” said Muvunyi.
"Kiyovu Sports is a team that we have fought against since we were young. They are not a team we fear. Let&039;s face them together. Our unity is what is needed. We are going to help the team in every way," he added.
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In other games, Vision FC have a herculean task to overcome Amagaju FC when the two teams face off at Huye Stadium. All eyes will be on Vision striker Onesme Twizerimana who scored the first hat trick of the season as well as Amagaju's Congolese striker Kiza Seraphin who is leading the goal scoring charts with 4 goals.
Elsewhere, Police FC will be looking to maintain their impressive form when they host Rutsiro FC while Bugesera FC entertain Musanze FC to Bugesera Stadium in a game which could go either way.