Despite losing 2-1 at home to USM Alger on Wednesday, Rayon Sports coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves de Calmo has insisted there is still a chance for his side to make it to the last eight of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup. The defeat to Algerian giants was Rayon Sports’ first home loss in CAF competitions this year. The Blues had also hoped for a first victory in group stages after having previously registered two consecutive draws, 1-1 against Kenya’s Gor Mahia and a goalless draw against Tanzanian powerhouse Young Africans. “It was a difficult game, especially in the second half. We tried to contain the pressure but defensive mistake in injury time cost us a point. However, we can still progress to the knock-out stage and that’s where we should focus – we remain with three group games ahead,” Goncalves told Times Sport in a post-match interview on Wednesday. It was Malian striker Ismailla Diarra who first found the back of the net after 27 minutes to put the hosts ahead. While Rayon Sports were looking for a second goal, they also got distracted and allowed USM Alger to find their way back into the game, which resulted into Farouk Chafai’s equaliser in the 45th minute with both sides going for the break tied on 1-1. The match didn’t see a decider until stoppage time. Just as most people anticipated a draw, Abdelraouf Benguit had a different idea, rounding off Abouba Bashunga in the dying seconds (90+2 minutes) of the game to hand the visitors valuable away victory. Meanwhile, USM Alger’s French coach Thierry Borger was delighted after collecting all three points, which boosted their chance to reach the quarter-finals as Group D table leaders. “We had four weeks of intensive preparations, this was a game that we took very seriously and I am glad that our efforts paid off. It’s an accomplished mission in Kigali, we are happy to return home with maximum points from such a tough game against a tough opponent,” Borger said. Rayon Sports played without three key players; Yannick Mukunzi, Olivier Seif Niyonzima, and Eric Rutanga – all through injuries. After three matches, USM Alger lead Group D with 7 points, two ahead of second-placed Gor Mahia while Rayon are in third place with two points, with Young Africans at the bottom with one point. Following Wednesday’s home loss, the Blues turn the attention to their return-leg clash against the 2015 CAF Champions League finalists in Algiers, Algeria – on July 29. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
