Azam Rwanda Premier League champions Rayon Sports will face South African side Mamelodi Sundowns without the services of attacking midfielders Shassir Nahimana and Yassin Mugume. The development was confirmed by interim head coach Ivan Minneart in a media briefing on Wednesday evening. Burundi international Nahimana was dropped from the squad after a below-par performance in the first-leg in Kigali in which he was substituted after the 34th minute, while Ugandan forward Mugume is out of form, and is training with the second team. The Belgian tactician also confirmed that centre-back Thierry Manzi will be back from suspension after missing the first-leg encounter, but injured attacking midfielder Djabel Manishimwe remains on the sidelines and won’t be traveling with the team. “It is going to be a tough game on both sides; Sundowns want to progress to group stage so do we. Thankfully, we did not concede in the first-leg, we will do all we can to score in South Africa,” Minneart said. The first leg encounter in Kigali ended in a goalless draw. He added, “There is nothing more we can reward our loyal supporters than making it through to the next phase of the competition. We won’t be shaken by the fact that we are playing away against one of the top teams on the continent.” Meanwhile, Times Sport has also learnt that Rayon Sports’ goalkeeping coach Ramadhan Nkunzingoma and physical trainer Marcel Lomami have been denied visas to South Africa and won’t be traveling with the team on Saturday morning. The Blues will face Mamelodi Sundowns, the 2016 African champions, on Sunday at 7pm – at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. For Rayon to progress, they will need to win or secure a scoring draw against Pitso Masomane’s ‘Brazilians.’ 18-players squad: Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye, Cassim Ndayisenga, Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, Eric Irambona, Pierrot Kwizera, Thierry Manzi, Gabriel Mugabo, Francois Master Mugisha, Yannick Mukunzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Olivier Sefu Niyonzima, Saddam Nyandwi, Ismaila Diarra, Eric Rutanga, Christ Mbondi, Faustin Usengimana, Shaban Hussein and Kevin Muhire. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
