Rayon Sports fans bullish ahead of CAF tie

Rayon Sports fans are confident their team has what it takes to avoid an upset when they take on Costa do Sol in Maputo tonight. The ‘Blues’ overpowered the Mozambican side in a resounding 3-0 victory in the first-leg on March 6 in KIgali two weeks ago. The 8-time Rwandan champions, who left the country on Sunday night, received a warm welcome in Maputo from their supporters in the Southern African nation. Times Sport’s Richard Bishumba talked to some of football fans in Kigali. ----- The blues need to pick a few lessons from what happened to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions’ League last week. Players should be mentally strong, try to be their usual self and do everything it takes to avoid conceding early in the game. The players are committed, and I don’t see Rayon losing the game. Rwandans living in Mozambique should also turn up in big numbers to support the boys. Janvier Kabogo, Assistant Public Health Specialist ----- I am confident that Rayon will rise to the occassion. The game is theirs to lose. A 3-0 goal lead should be enough to take us through, but given the fact that our opponents have home advantage, Rayon Sports should expect a hostile atmosphere. Minneart’s boys must aim at scoring an early goal and kill the opponent’s game plan. Rayon Sports have to maintain the same energy and focus like they did in the first leg. Costa do Sol can be dangerous on counter-attacks, especially since Rayon are without talisman Pierrrot Kwizera. Geoffrey Asiimwe, Budget Policy Formulation and Reform Officer ----- The club did a good job in the first-leg and I defintely want them to force Costa do Sol into playing a defensive game, not the other way round. Rayon Sports have to score to make life tougher for their opponents in Maputo. Joy Happiness Mukeshimana, Student at Nairobi University ----- I trust Rayon Sports coach Ivan Minnaert to take the team to the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup due to his calm and winning mindset, but I take this opportunity to caution the blues not to focus on defending their 3-0 advantage. Brice Hirwa, Pharmacist ----- It would be shameful if Rayon Sports got eliminated. They would miss out on making history. But I am sure the coaching staff and players understand the magnitude of the task at hand, and what is expected of them. Bienaimé Mvugonziza