As Rayon Sports prepare for their general election to choose a new executive committee during the general assembly due Saturday, November 16, the question is, will the new leaders bring fundamental change to a club that has lacked direction and progress on and off the field for far too long? Rayon, also known as Gikundiro, one of Rwanda’s most storied and beloved football clubs, has long been a symbol of passion and pride for its dedicated fanbase. Known for its passionate supporters and intense rivalry with bitter foes APR FC, Rayon Sports has enjoyed periods of success and failure that mirror the stormy nature of its leadership. The club’s history of poor leadership choices has been a major factor in its persistent infighting, lack of progress on and off the field, and a deepening sense of disillusionment among its supporters. The club's troubles can be traced back to a series of leadership changes that have, more often than not, resulted in division, conflict, and a stagnation of its footballing ambitions. In 2019, Rayon Sports made a bold choice by electing Sadate Munyakazi as the club's president. Munyakazi, then a little-known figure in Rwandan football, presented himself as a reformer with grand promises to usher in transparency, financial accountability, and a new era of success for the club. His ambitious pledge to build a 60,000-seat stadium within his tenure was met with enthusiasm from fans, who hoped that his leadership would herald a new era for the club. However, Munyakazi’s time in charge quickly turned sour. Despite initial hopes, his leadership soon descended into chaos. Relations with key sponsors, most notably the brewery company Skol Rwanda, began to deteriorate, and internal divisions within the club’s executive committee started to emerge. Munyakazi, initially seen as a fresh face, soon found himself at odds with former leaders who had helped elevate him to the top position. The rift between Munyakazi and other club figures grew to a point where public campaigns for his resignation were launched, but he stubbornly resisted stepping down, deepening the discord within the club. The power struggle took an even darker turn when accusations of mismanagement and match-fixing surfaced. A year into his reign, Munyakazi accused his predecessors of embezzling club funds and engaging in unethical practices. In particular, he alleged that previous leadership had been involved in fixing league matches between 2014 and 2016, further fracturing the already fragile unity within the club. The accusations led to the dissolution of Munyakazi’s committee in 2020, and the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) was forced to intervene and oversee the election of a new leadership. ALSO READ: Rayon Sports’ ExCo dissolved, interim committee to take over within 48 hours Jean Fidele Uwayezu emerged as the new president, inheriting a club in disarray. His appointment, however, did little to stabilize the situation. Uwayezu, though well-intentioned, struggled to unite the various factions within the club. While he did manage to resolve some of the financial issues, such as salary arrears for players, he faced fierce opposition from former leaders, who believed his leadership was influenced more by external forces, particularly RGB, than by the needs of the club itself. Uwayezu’s presidency was further undermined by the resignation of key committee members, including his two vice presidents, which left him isolated and unable to implement the necessary reforms to propel the club forward. Despite these internal struggles, Uwayezu did manage to lead Rayon Sports to some success on the field. The club won the 2023 Peace Cup, a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing period. But the fans, accustomed to their club’s dominance, were left unimpressed. Their expectations remained high, and the continued lack of consistency, particularly in the league, fueled their frustration. By 2024, Uwayezu’s term had run its course, but his resignation in September—citing health issues—brought yet another chapter of uncertainty for the club. With fresh elections for a new executive committee just around the corner, Rayon Sports fans once again found themselves hoping for a change in direction, but with little confidence that the right leadership would emerge. Roger Aimable Ngoga, the club’s vice president, was appointed interim president, but the search for a permanent replacement was still ongoing. One of the most striking aspects of Rayon Sports’ leadership issues is the constant infighting between factions within the club. These internal power struggles have not only hindered the club’s ability to progress on the field, but they have also created a toxic atmosphere that has alienated fans and players alike. Every time a new president is elected, it seems the club is forced to start from scratch, rebuilding not just the team, but the trust of its supporters. This vicious cycle has led to a culture of disillusionment, where even the most dedicated fans are questioning whether the club will ever return to its former glory. Despite these challenges, there are signs that the situation may improve. The club is currently leading the league, with its archrivals APR FC languishing in 14th place. Fans are cautiously optimistic that, with the right leadership, the club could finally break free from the cycle of infighting and underachievement that has defined its recent history. However, for Rayon Sports to reclaim its place as one of the top clubs in Rwanda, it will need more than just a change in leadership. It will require a commitment to transparency, accountability, and unity—values that have been sorely lacking in recent years. The club’s future, much like its past, will depend on the ability of its leadership to put the interests of the team ahead of personal rivalries and egos. Only then can Rayon Sports hope to fulfill its potential and return to its rightful place at the top of Rwandan football. From these pages, we can hope for free and fair elections, and that may the candidate with the club's best interest at heart win, for we have been here before and seen so many false dawns.
