Gomes happy with Rayon resilience

Coach Didier Gomes da Rosa is confident Rayon Sport is in good position to win this season’s Primus National Football League title, the first since 2005.

Thursday, January 31, 2013
DR Congo-born striker Papy Kamanzi is one of the most influential players at Rayon Sport since Gomes (inset) took over just over two months ago. The New Times / T. Kisambira.

Coach Didier Gomes da Rosa is confident Rayon Sport is in good position to win this season’s Primus National Football League title, the first since 2005.After a slow start to the season, Rayon Sport are in second position with 29 points, three points behind leaders Police FC. The Nyanza-based side beat AS Kigali 2-1 on Wednesday with Salita Kambale and Cedric Amissi goals.  Jimmy Mbaraga scored AS Kigali’s lone consolation goal to take his tally to nine goals scored this season.After the win, the third in a row, Gomes da Rosa said that he is happy with his team’s resurgence since he took over midway through the first round. "I am happy with the way the players have responded to my philosophy since I came at the club, I couldn’t have asked for more in just a short period,” the Frenchman told Times Sport. "The most satisfying thing is that we are not only winning games but dominating and creating so many goal scoring opportunities, thanks to the determination of the players,” he added.Police continues to lead the standings with 32 points after 15 rounds of matches played but Isonga and Etincelles are still staring relegation in the face. Both teams have ten points.Gomes stated, "We are now three points behind Police but am confident we are on the right track in the race for the title. Nothing has been won yet, but this group (of players) is so determined to fight to the end.” Elsewhere, defending champions APR FC also pulled off a 1-0 win over AS Muhanga courtesy of Tumaine Ntamuhanga. However, SC Kiyovu’s woes continued after a goalless draw against Amagaju. The win pushed APR into third position with 28 points, while Kiyovu, who lost 1-0 to Espoir last weekend have 27 points.Mukura beat La Jeunesse 1-0 at Kamena while Musanze secured a 2-1 win away at Etincelles in Rubavu. Isonga played out a 2-all draw against Espoir at Kicukiro turf.The league resumes on February 9.