Mfutila backs Rayon to end continental jinx

Rayon Sports Coach Andy Magloire Mfutila insists that his side’s target in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup is to qualify for the quarterfinals. The Blues, who were drawn against Cameroon’s Panthère Sportive du Ndé FC in the preliminary round of the continental competition, have never made it past the first round of any continental contest. Mfutila, who has previously been on the coaching staff of Congolese giants TP Mazembe and AS Vita registering success on the continent stage, believes that the Rwandan club can finally end the continental jinx and join Africa’s elite clubs. Mfutila was part of the AS Vita coaching staff when they faced Panthère Sportive du Ndé in the 2010 Confederation Cup first round. AS Vita won 3-2 on aggregate. However, Mfutila is aware of the difference in players’ quality (between his former sides and the current Rayon Sports squad) and that his involvement with an impressive AS Vita side four years ago does not necessarily give him an advantage today. “We play away from home first, so we shall make sure we use that to our advantage since they do not know us and we do not know them. It will be an open play in Cameroon,” Mfutila. A win over the Cameroonian side will set up a tie against Egyptian giants Zamalek and this will certainly constitute yet another serious hurdle for Mfutila who was coaching APR in 2008 when the latter defeated the Rwandan army side 2-1 in Kigali before winning 2-0 in Cairo. Rayon Sports failed to go past the preliminary round of this year’s Caf Champions League having forced a goalless draw in Kinshasa against AC Leopards but gave away a 2-0 lead when they conceded twice in less than five minutes in the return leg in Kigali. Slow start Although Mfutila is keen on making an impression by guiding the Blues to their best ever performance in continental football, he has made a slow start domestically. Rayon Sports haven’t won a game since he took charge last month, something that has led to frustration among the club faithful. The Congolese tactician, who enjoyed a successful stint with Rayon Sports’ domestic rivals APR in 2007, is keen to reinforce his squad in the January transfer window as his side kick start a busy period that will see them compete on three different fronts – in domestic league, Peace Cup and CAF confederations league