CAF Conf Cup: Rayon upset Gor Mahia to revive hope for last eight

After five match rounds, with one to go, Rayon Sports are placed third with 6 points, two adrift of USM Alger and Gor Mahia who jointly top the table, with 8 points each.

Sunday, August 19, 2018
Gor Mahia's Rwanda international Jacques Tuyisenge tries a long distance attempt against Rayon Sports at Kasarani Stadium, in Nairobi, on Sunday night. Courtesy

Sunday

Group D Gor Mahia 1-2 Rayon Sports Young Africans 2-1 USM Alger

Rayon Sports stunned Kenyan giants Gor Mahia 2-1 at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the Total CAF Confederation Cup to boost their chances of reaching in the quarter-finals.

Burundi-born forward Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana scored  in the third minute to inspire the visitors to an early lead before countryman Francis Mustafa netted an equalizer in the 22nd minute. The two sides went into half-time tied 1-1.

Left-back Eric Rutanga restored the lead for Rayon Sports with a fantastic free-kick eight minutes after recess, which the Blues would hold onto till the final whistle.

Rutanga also scored the equalizer, from free-kick, during the first-leg in Kigali between the two teams, in March.

Man of the match Rutanga was also the assist provider for the Bimenyimana's opener.

In another Group D encounter on Sunday, Tanzania's Young Africans upset USM Algeria 2-1 in Dar es Salaam.

Raphael Loth and Heritier Makambo scored for the Young Africans while Abderrahmane Meziane netted the consolation goal for USM Alger.

Should USM Alger beat Gor Mahia in Algeria and Rayon beat Young Africans in Kigali on August, 29, they will be guaranteed of a spot to quarterfinals of the continent's seconds biggest club competition.

It was the first group win for Roberto Oliveira's Rayon after struggling with three draws and one loss in their first four gamess.

They got off to a wrong foot with a 1-all draw against Gor Mahia in Kigali, then were held to a goalless draw by Young Africans in Dar, which was followed by a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of USM Alger before traveling to Algeria where they shared 1-all stalemate with the Algerian giants.

After five match rounds, with one to go, the Blues are placed third with 6 points, two adrift of USM Alger and Gor Mahia who jointly top the table, with 8 points each. 

Young Africans are locked at the bottom of the group with four points.

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