Rayon won’t give up on Peace Cup, says Mette
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Rayon Sports FC head coach Julien Mette gives instructions ti his players during a training session at Nzove stadium. Courtesy

Rayon Sports FC head coach Julien Mette has said that his team camp has all eyes set on nothing but to retain the Peace Cup.

The Blues welcome Bugesera FC in the first leg of the cup on Wednesday, April 17, and Mette said that his side is fully focused on winning the remaining matches and let fate decide their destiny as far as winning the Peace Cup is concerned.

Rayon have had yet another unimpressive campaign in the Primus National League, with APR FC only a point away from winning the title, and Mette believes winning the Peace Cup is the best gift his side can give the fans to finish the season on a high.

"We have to prepare for this [Peace Cup] tournament. We failed to win the league, so we want to keep that second place on the table and win the Peace Cup. We have to stand for it, that is our only ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup," Mette said.

Mette’s team is facing a Bugesera FC side coached by Francis Haringingo who guide the Blues to their most recent Peace Cup title in 2023 when they beat APR FC in the final thanks to an Eric Ngendahimana’s header.

It will certainly be tough to eliminate Bugesera FC but Mette is unfazed by who he plays at this stage considering that he wants to prove his worth and justify why the club hired him.

"I want it; the team wants it. We want to give that gift to the fans. So for the se game, the first game and the second leg we have to prepare ourselves with great will. It will be like a battle against [Bugesera FC] who also wants to reach the final.”

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Julien Mette arrived at Rayon Sports in January where he signed a short-term contract that will run until the end of the 2023/24 season.

After showing the changes in the games he coached, the management of Rayon Sports management started to think about how to extend the contract and keep him next season.

The French coach is dreaming of winning his first silverware for Rayon Sports, then he will have a reason to discuss a new deal and start to work on a new project with the club.

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Rayon Sports previously won the Peace Cup in 1976, 1979, 1982, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2016 and 2023.