Rayon Sports were given a major test in Sunday’s goalless draw against Gorilla FC in a Rwanda Premier League match at the Kigali Pele Stadium.
It was a nervy encounter with both teams creating a host of decent chances but failing to utilize them.
Rayon Sports coach Zelfani Yamen started with a 4-3-3 formation, deploying his routine attacking trio in Youssef Rharb on the left, Joackiam Ojera on the right and Charles Bbaale as a central striker.
Meanwhile, Gorilla head coach Moussa Gatera also started Mohammed Camera and Adeshola Johnson Adeaga in attack as he had no plan to approach the game defensively.
Gorilla posed a major threat in Rayon’s vital area early in the first half with Adeaga bulldozing his way through but Adolphe Hakizimana saved his effort.
Rayon, on the other hand, used their right wing often and often with Ojera trying to cut in. He found Bbaale a couple of times but the Ugandan forward missed those chances.
Zelfani’s side clearly lacked the needed driving force in midfield with Aruna Madjaliwa only protecting the back four and failing to drive forward. This made the Blues midfield very static as they lacked the needed efficient force to move forward.
The first half ended goalless as neither side managed to find the back of the net despite exhibiting quality football.
The second half saw Rayon bringing in Rashid Kalisa for Youssef Rharb as Zelfani decided to change his formation to stabilize the midfield.
Kalisa’s introduction brought some urgency into the Rayon Sports team thanks to his ability to push the ball from the heart of midfield.
The Blues looked very organized and created some good chances in Gorilla FC’s 18-yard box but all were wasted to the dismay of their fans.
Didier Mucyo also replaced Ally Serumogo as the visitors sought to tighten their defense.
Iroko Babatunde was at some point Rayon’s nightmare as he could manoeuvre his way through the Blues back four.
Zelfai also brought in Hadji Iraguha and Felix Ndekwe for Burundian duo Emmanuel Mvuyekure and Aruna Madjaliwa to add the fresh pace and spark in the midfield but there was still no space for Rayon as Gorilla played a very compact game.
The final eight minutes of the game saw both teams playing cautiously to avoid conceding a goal until the referee blew his final whistle with the pair settling for a goalless draw.