Rayon Sports reap from mismanagement

The most popular football club in Rwanda, Rayon Sports have endured an unforgettable season that was marred by a trophyless-campaign and internal wrangles. A promising start to the season with a new look team that boasted of striker Peter Otema, playmaker Jerome Sina known for his heroics in midfield and a defense manned by the return of central defender Faustin Usengimana and James Tubane outlined the Blues’ intentions early enough. However, this would be short-lived following Andy Mfutila’s appointment as head coach taking over from Sosthène Habimana who was acting as interim coach.Mfutila’s arrival was greeted with a financial crisis that ripped apart the team for good. With players not paid for three months across the Christmas season, their affection to the team dampened and they attended training sessions inconsistently with many of them being linked to foreign teams as they sought a means to survive and among many responsibilities look after their families. Ultimately, the Blues lost the dependable pair of right back Karim Nizigiyimana and left back Abouba Sibomana who signed for Gor Mahia in the January transfer period to further weaken the Nyanza-based side whose strength has always been the ability to capitalize on width going upfront as a competent attacking option that had among other achievements been the threshold for their 2013 league title which ended a seven-year league drought. Sina was then linked with a move to Europe and this did not help the team atmosphere as instability and a continuous lack of concentration disrupted any sort of improvement week in, week out further plunging Rayon Sports into a troubled and struggling team despite a continued committed support from the fans. Mfutila sought an inaugural win since his first game, a 2-2 draw against SC Kiyovu throughout his 10-week stay at the Nyanza-based side but he was sacked before registering victory. His second game was a 1-1 draw with newcomers Sunrise in Rwamagana before losing 2-1 to Police in the semi-finals of the Ombudsman Cup. The Blues then lost to AS Kigali 2-1 before settling for a 1-1 draw with Marines in Rubavu on Christmas Eve calling for a crisis meeting amongst stakeholders including management, coaching staff, players and fans. Mfutila’s side were then held to a goalless draw by Police FC in Muhanga at the start of the year and another goalless draw with Mukura Victory Sport at Amahoro stadium did not help matters. A sixth draw, 1-1 against Amagaju in Nyamagabe and a 1-1 draw in the Prudence Cup semi-final against AS Kigali, which Rayon Sports lost 4-3 in a penalty shootout was the last straw that broke Rayon’s back. Mfutila who took over the Blues when they were sitting in second position, three points behind table leaders and archrivals APR, was sacked on February 2 leaving the club languishing in fifth position with 22 points, 10 points behind APR. The Congolese tactician did not stay to see the side compete in the CECAFA Kagame Cup or the CAF Confederations Cup. Coincidentally, Rayon Sports won their first game without Mfutila as they beat Musanze 2-0 much to the shock of many a fan. However, in the next game, the Blues suffered their biggest defeat to archrivals APR, a 4-0 loss that saw them concede four goals in 11 minutes (75th, 76th, 81st and 86th minutes) in the biggest crumple like never seen before in local football in recent years. Crest-fallen and with a lack confidence whatsoever, the Blues went on to register a 1-0 win against Panthère Sportive du Ndé FC in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup in Cameroon and a second round 1-0 victory saw them qualify for the next round. Against Egyptian giants Zamalek, Rayon Sports lost 3-1 in the first leg in Cairo with Isaac Muganza netting the lone strike and maintaining hope for the Blues’ fans. The club management appointed their former coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga as head coach and his first game was a 3-0 loss to Zamalek in Kigali as Rayon Sports was eliminated from the continental showpiece, a result to which he admitted the two sides were miles apart in terms of fitness, skill and experience. With nothing much to fight for in the domestic league, Rayon Sports played for pride in their remaining fixtures but losses to AS Kigali (1-0) and Police (2-1) summed up their poor season that saw them finish in fifth position with 38 points, two points behind newly promoted side Sunrise who finished above them in their debut season in the topflight league. Kayiranga is however, optimistic that his side is eyeing the Peace Cup that commences tomorrow with games across the country. editorial@newtimes.co.rw