Rayon skipper predicts new era

BURUNDIAN born Rayon Sport skipper, Karim Nizigiyimana Mckenzie, has tipped his team for glory this season thanks to their relocation to Nyanza.“We are happy that the club shifted back to Nyanza. I believe this historical move will bear positive results this season by winning the league title,” he said.“On our side, we are ready to do everything possible because this environment seems to be conducive and with the support of fans and the club management, we hope a new chapter is going to be written in the history of the club this season.” Rayon Sport, which has been struggling to challenge rivals APR for silverware in recent years, returned to Nyanza officially on Tuesday, ending their 26 year-stint in Kigali.The Blues are under pressure to win trophies but their quest have been plagued with financial problems, thus the move to strike an agreement with Nyanza District, which will partly meet the club’s bill. According to Nyanza District Mayor, Abdallah Murenzi, the district will meet 50 per cent of the Rwf80m budget this season, while the rest will come from other sources.Rayon was founded in Nyanza on May 1968 and moved to Kigali in 1986, using Amahoro Stadium for their home matches. They last won the MTN Peace Cup 2005 and the league in 2004.While still in Nyanza, Rayon won the league twice in 1975 and 1981, and the Rwanda Cup in 1976, 1979 and 1982.After relocation to Kigali, the club went on win the Cup in 1989, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2005 and the league in 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004. Rayon became the first Rwandan club to win the Cecafa regional club championship in 1998.Rwanda’s most popular club get their 2012/13 national football league campaign underway against Amagaju in Nyanza on Saturday.

Sports

Rayon skipper predicts new era