Olivier Karekezi has admitted that he’s been impressed by the way Rayon Sports players are responding to his training tactics as the Azam Rwanda Premier League champions continue their preseason training ahead of the new campaign due to kick off this month.

The newly appointed Rayon head coach replaced Djuma Masudi and oversaw his first training session on Tuesday last week. Karekezi and his assistant Hamad ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana as well as goalkeeping coach Ramadhan Nkunzingoma signed a two-year contract until end of 2019.

"I am happy with the way the players have responded since the first day. The atmosphere is good and I’m looking forward to raise our level starting with fitness,” Karekezi said on Monday at Mumena stadium.

The former APR and Amavubi captain disclosed that he accepted to take up the Rayon Sports’ job because he believes the club has the right players and vision to move forward.

He said: "I am here because I know what I bring to the club and I know the players we have are good enough to help the club move forward. Obviously, there are areas we need to improve and I am working with the club to make sure we bring in the right players in the right positions.”

"We are getting to know each other day by day, there’s commitment but we still need to learn about each one’s strength and weakness as we continue to prepare for the new season,” he explained.

The league champions have been busy in the transfer market signing left back Eric Rutanga from APR FC, right back Saddam Nyandwi (Espoir), forward Yussuf Habimana from Mukura Victory Sports, APR academy product Moise Niyigena, and Pepiniere FC striker Gilbert Mugisha.

Players, who have renewed their contracts, include; attacking midfielder Kevin Muhire, right winger Nova Bayama, defensive midfielders Olivier ‘Seif’ Niyonzima and François Mugisha, central defender Thierry Manzi and goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye.

The players who have left the club include Dominique Savio Nshuti (AS Kigali), Fiston Munezero and Mustapha Nsengiyumva who joined Police, while Fabricé Bugheni Kakule and Abouba Bashunga are free agents.

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