Makasi to join Rayon Sports as assistant coach
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Sau00efd Abed Makasi (left) currently serves as Espoir FCu2019s assistant coach, since his retirement as a player from the same club last year. Courtesy.

Former Rwanda international Saïd Abed Makasi has reportedly agreed to join his former club Rayon Sports as assistant to Brazilian head coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo.

The 36-year old will replace former teammate Djamal Mwiseneza who was hired for the assistant coach position at the beginning of the 2018/2019 season.

To everyone’s surprise, coach Roberto penned a one-year contract extension with the ‘Blues’ on Thursday after it was speculated that the two parties were due to part company, with several media reports linking former SC Kiyovu coach Andre Casa Mbungo to the job.

"I would say the deal is almost done. Makasi will sign with us by the end of this week and will be offered one year of contract. He will immediately join Roberto’s back room staff,” said an official within Rayon Sports, who spoke to Times Sport on condition of anonymity.

The former Rayon Sports striker played for the national team from 2003 to 2009 and is best remembered for his solo goal as Amavubi beat DR Congo 1-0 during the group stage of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals tournament in Tunisia.

DR Congo-born Makasi, who retired from competitive football at the end of the 2016/2017 season at Espoir FC, played for a total of 15 clubs during his playing career. He featured for different clubs in; Rwanda, Uganda, Belgium, Turkey, Morocco and Israel

Meanwhile, center-back Abdul Rwatubyaye and striker Micheal Sarpong missed Wednesday’s training as Rayon Sports prepared for Sunday’s league clash against Amagaju. Times Sport understands that the two players are ill and won’t make the 18-player squad on Sunday.

However, new signing Fabrice Mugheni was back in training after a three-week injury layoff, which he sustained during the 1-0 victory over AS Kigali earlier this month.

Burundian Kevin ‘Dambo’ Ndayisenga was also at the club’s training base getting along well with his future teammates, should he pass his trials with the eight-time champions.

The forward plays for South African side Jomo Cosmos.

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