Shungu unfazed with rivals’ form

Rayon Sport coach Raoul Shungu is not worried about Kiyovu’s current form in the ongoing national football league.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Rayon Sport coach Raoul Shungu is not worried about Kiyovu’s current form in the ongoing national football league.

As it has become a tradition with Kiyovu in recent years, they start every season in such great form but they tend to fold off when the going gets tough.

This season, very few would argue against the notion that the perennial non-achievers have been the in-form team, having garnered maximum points after six rounds of matches.

Speaking to Times Sport after watching Casa Kasambogo’s Kiyovu defeat bottom side Military 2-0 at Mumena stadium, Shungu said, "Their (Kiyovu) form will be stopped this weekend when we face them.”

The charismatic Congolese born coach is well known for his psychological kind of warfare in the build-up to big games.

And going into Sunday’s big one against his team’s traditional rivals, Shungu noted, "I have looked at them, the way they play and also, I’ve seen their weaknesses and this will help me to prepare my team accordingly.”

Kiyovu lead the league table standing after six wins out of six, eight points ahead of Rayon in fourth spot having won three, drawn one and lost two.

But Rayon have won their last two games since Shungu took over as head coach for the third spell, something that makes him (Shungu) confident ahead of the big clash on Sunday at Gitarama’s Muhanga stadium.

The former Seychelles national team coach is all smiles after his team led by the most senior players including Jimmy Gatete displayed probably their best football of the season in their 1-3 victory away to Mukura on Saturday.

Bokota Labama Kalisa Kase, Kalisa Mao and Albert Nyumbayire all chose the right time to return to the club after from wherever they had been and they all featured against Mukura.

Shungu has notched up two back to back victories since taking over; 1-0 against Police and 3-1 against Mukura respectively and he is determined to end his third spell as Rayon coach with this year’s league title.

However, his opposite number of Kiyovu, Kasambogo is confident and believes his youthful side has something different in its armory to see off a more experienced Rayon side.
"We got what we deserved against Military. They put up some stiff resistance but our style undid their resiliency.

"I am very sure we have the resources (in terms of players) to stun Rayon at the weekend,” admitted the former assistant to Jean Baptist Kayiranga at AS-Kigali.
Defender Marcel Lomami and striker Jean Claude Bigirimana a.ka Drogba are expected to return to the starting team on Sunday after being rested against Mukura.

Casambogo will also have the league joint top scorer Games Uwimana back in the team; he was also rested on Saturday. Uwimana and APR’s Jabir Mutarambirwa have notched four goals this season.
Ends