Rayon Sports take on perennial arch-rivals SC Kiyovu in the Rwanda Premier League on Friday, November 11, at Kigali Stadium with both sets of fans believing their team will carry the day. Rayon Sports are chasing the 10th title while Kiyovu is eyeing its first league title since 1994. The game between Rayon Sports and SC Kiyovu has always produced entertainment, goals, and at times, drama. “We are ready to support our team, we will be at the stadium two hours before kickoff and I am confident we shall beat them 2-0,” Agnes Malaika, a Rayon Sports supporter, said. “We are always behind the players regardless of who we face, but this match is very different from the rest; so we must be there in big numbers to support our team.” Rayon Sports supporters led by the most famous of them all—Bosco Ngezahimana alias Rwarutabura, say they can’t wait for kickoff time as their team seeks revenge for the loss in the final of Made in Rwanda Tournament. “We know them very well; they are a weak team so we want to get all three points. Kiyovu is not strong for us, we know we are the only big club in the country, with the biggest fan base, we are going to show them how strong we are,” Rwarutabura noted. As for the president of SC Kiyovu fans’ club, Hemed Minani, Friday’s match is not just about getting three points but also a chance to make good money in gate collection. He said: “We want to take three points and the money because we are the hosts. It is a big match and each team wants to win but for our side, we know we can beat them and we will.” “It is going to be a very good match to watch, but we want the three points, no draw. We know Rayon Sports are confident and will come to revenge for the loss but we have a stronger team, we will beat them 2-1.” SC Kiyovu has won seven league titles, three trophies, and one super cup, and was the only Rwandan club to go a whole season unbeaten in 1990. Rayon Sports has won the title nine times. Kiyovu and Rayon are the most supported clubs and the biggest rivals in the land and have been in the limelight ever since the 1960s until the mid-1990s when APR came to the scene. They are separated by one point, in the first and second position, with former champions Rayon Sports leading the standings with 18 points after six rounds. Not only will Rayon Sports be looking to close the gap at the top, but they will also be fighting to avoid losing to their traditional arch-rivals twice in one season following their defeat in the final of the Made in Rwanda Cup in October.
