Rayon ready to pip rivals to the title

SaturdayRayon Sports vs GicumbiEtincelles vs EspoirAS Muhanga vs MukuraAmagaju vs AS KigaliMusanze vs Kiyovu SundayAPR vs MarinesPolice vs Esperance After all the recruitment drives by the top flight division clubs and the preseason friendlies during the offseason, serious business starts this weekend when the 2013/14 Turbo National Football League gets underway tomorrow.Among the genuine title contenders, defending champions Rayon Sports have been one of the busiest sides in the transfer market which saw Amavubi Stars striker Meddie Kagere become their latest major signing.Head coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa believes that the race for the league title will be a tight contest but is backing his team to hit the tape ahead of their rivals come May 2014.Speaking to Times Sport ahead of tomorrow’s opening fixture against newly promoted Gicumbi FC, who are handled by former Rayon Sports coach Jean Baptist Kayiranga, the Frenchman said, “I believe we have a strong squad to help us retain the title.”Gomez, who led the Blues to last season’s league title, their first in eight years, lauded his bosses for backing him in the transfer market in key positions, especially on the attacking line.On top Kagere, the Nyanza-based side have also completed the signing of Ugandan striker Frasson Jakesh this week.“It’s good that we have signed two key strikers, this is an area I really wanted to strengthen and now I can say, I am satisfied with what I have ahead of the start of the new season,” he explained.He added, “The league is very competitive but we are in this competition to win .We are going to give our best and hope that Rayon Sports becomes the dominant team in the upcoming season.”Gomez takes his troops into the opening game of the season in a confident mood after winning the Rwanda Media Football tournament last weekend for a second season running. Rayon beat archrivals SC Kiyovu 3-0 in the final, while Mukura overcame AS Kigali 3-1 in the third place playoff. Among Rayon Sports’ new signings is goalkeeper Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, defenders Arafat Serugendo, Claude Rwaka and Moses Kanamugire, midfielders Jean Paul Havugarurema, Robert Ndatimana, Djihad Bizimana and Hussien Sibomana and strikers Kagere and Jakesh.