Rayon skipper rallies teammates ahead of Onze Créateurs return leg

Rayon Sports’ skipper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye has urged his teammates to ensure they are fully focused on the tough mission of eliminating Mali’s Onze Createurs when the West Africans visit for the return leg of the first-round of the CAF Confederation Cup this weekend. Bakame made the call after the Blues lost 1-0 at Stade Omnisports Modibo-Keïta in Mali last Saturday and are now faced with the task of turning the tables on their opponents on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium if they are to progress to the next round. “We have to give our best against Onze Créateurs in the return leg, we have a chance to turn the score around because we will be playing in front of ours fans, said Bakame He added: “Losing 1-0 can happen to any team but what we need now is to stay focused on the return game and go for not just the win but for the ticket to the next round too, we know they are a good side but for us the game is like a final.” After a first-half disciplined performance, Rayon Sports failed to stick to their plan in the second which saw the hosts secure victory courtesy of a strike from Boubacar Samassékou in the 61st minute. The visitors’ efforts to equalise and get an all-important away goal proved futile despite attempts from Malian duo of Moussa Camara and Tidiane Kone to shine on their return to home soil. The Blues must now avoid conceding a goal at home and ensure they register a victory by at least 2 goals to reach the next round. Should Rayon Sports win their first round tie (over the two legs), they will qualify for the play-off round where the 16 winners from the first round of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup will face the 16 losers in the Champions League first round. The 16 winners of the play-off round will then advance to the lucrative group stage. editorial@newtimes.co.rw