SundayCAF Conf. CupPlayoff round - First legRivers United 2-0 Rayon Sport

Rayon Sport head coach Djuma Masudi has said that his side will make a comeback in the second leg of CAF Confederation Cup tie against Nigeria’s Rivers United despite losing 2-0 in the first leg.

The reigning Peace Cup holders stumbled in their pursuit to become the first Rwandan club ever to reach the group stage of the continent’s second biggest club competition after a 2-0 defeat at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Goals in either side of half time from Emeka Atuloma and Guy Kuemian put the Nigerian side in the box seat ahead of the second leg slated for April 22 at Amahoro national stadium.

"We lost the first leg, but such games have 180 minutes meaning we lost the 90 minutes in Nigeria and its normal because its football and we have to turn the focus to our home tie,” said the Burundian tactician.

Despite the loss, Masudi’s side enjoyed excellent opportunities to get a crucial goal away through Pierrot Kwizera and Moussa Camara, however the duo failed to perfectly execute them.

"We are going to prepare for the second leg perfectly well, we have seen how Rivers United play, we have identified their strength and weaknesses, I have faith that we can overturn this score line, if we believe and prepare very well, there is no game that is similar to another,” added Masudi.

This is the first time that both sides have reached this stage of the competition and neither of them would like to miss out on a chance to reach the group stage where they can be assured to at least pocket $275,000.

Following this loss, Masudi’s side have to win the second leg with a difference of three goals, if they are to progress.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw