Panthere coach warns Rayon Sports to be wary of Zamalek

Panthère Sportive du Ndé head coach Emmanuel Bosco Ndoumbe believes Rayon Sports will face a daunting task against Egyptian giants Zamalek in the first round of the Orange Caf Confederation Cup. Rayon beat the Cameroonian side 1-0 on Sunday to complete a 2-0 aggregate score in the preliminary round to go through to the first round where they will face Zamalek with the first leg scheduled for the weekend of March 13-15 in Egypt and the return leg in Kigali during the weekend of April 3-5. Leo Uwambajimana scored a lone goal in the first leg in Doualla while Isaac Muganza scored on Sunday to send the ‘Blues’ through a day after archrivals APR came from behind to win 2-1 against Mozambique side Liga Desportivo de Maputo in the Caf Champions League—they will face Al Ahly on Egypt in the first round. “Rayon Sports is a good team but if they are going to play against Zamalek like they played with us, it will be another story because they are not looking as strong as I thought they were, against Zamalek they will be punished,” Ndoumbe warned during a post match press conference. He added, “It is a big game for them and it will be hard for them if they are going to play as I have seen them here in Kigali, but I hope they will change because they look a weak team.” “We played well against them and created chances but we didn’t score which killed us but we are still building the team for the future and I hope if Rayon Sports make changes on their game, they can do well against Zamalek,” Ndoumbe explained. Rayon Sports interim head coach Sosthene Habimana gave credit to his team, “The players gave the best and I am proud of how they played against a good side like Panthère to reach to the next round, we are going to prepare the team very well because we know we are going to face an even bigger team.” “We will leave nothing to chance in our preparation and I know it will be difficult for us especially in the first leg against Zamalek, but I am happy that we have passed the preliminary round,” he noted. Zamalek are one of the biggest and most successful teams on the African continent, and have been doing well in Caf competitions for so many years. editorial@newtimes.co.rw