Rayon Sports in crisis mode after 5 match winless streak

Following a five-game winless streak, Rayon Sports on Christmas Eve held a crisis meeting involving players, the coaching staff and club management to address the recent poor run of results. The Blues have slumped to fourth place in the National Football League table standings, with 19 points from 11 games, having drawn three of their last four league games (SC Kiyovu, Sunrise and Marines) and lost the other (AS Kigali). In between, they also lost to Police FC in the Ombudsman Cup. Rayon are now trailing leaders and bitter rivals APR by seven points, while they are five points and one point adrift of second-placed As Kigali and Police FC, respectively. It is not yet clear what was discussed during the emergency meeting which was convened after angry fans demanded answers after Wednesday’s draw in Rubavu. Times Sport could not reach the club spokesperson Aime Niyonsabye for comment by press time. Rayon Sports coach Andy Mfutila, who took over the reins last month, had promised the Blues fans that the club would win the domestic league title, perform impressively in the regional Cecafa Kagame Cup as well as the Caf Confederation Cup this season. However those targets are increasingly being questioned with the continued poor results although the Congolese tactician insists they have to continue working hard because every game they play is a difficult one, especially because the opposition wants to win as well. Mfutila, formerly with APR, admits that there is a lot of pressure after the recent run of poor results but he expressed optimistic that his side will return to winning ways in 2015. Rayon Sports did not win any silverware last season and squandered the chance to lift the Ombudsman Cup three weeks ago when they lost to Police FC 2-1 in the semi-finals. It is this lack of results that is worrying the fans who have since resorted to coming to the stadium in few numbers whenever the Blues are in action. The return of team captain Fuadi Ndayisenga to full fitness will come in handy next month as he will be expected to man the midfield and create more scoring chances upfront for youngsters Isaac Muganza and Frank Lomami. Player exodus However, Mfutila’s hopes of arresting the slump will not be made any easier after reports that defenders Abouba Sibomana and Karim Nizigiyimana Mackenzie and midfielder Ndatimana Robert want to leave the club. The three are reported to be closely monitored by Kenyan giants Gor Mahia.