Coach Minnaert quits Rayon for AFC Leopards

Wednesday AS Kigali 0-2 Mukura VSSC Kiyovu 0-2 Rayon Sports A cloud of uncertainty continues to stalk Rwanda’s most popular football club, Rayon Sports. The latest is the sudden resignation of head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert on Wednesday evening. Minnaert becomes the eighth coach to leave Rayon Sports in a space of just three years. The Belgian, while announcing his departure, revealed that he’s leaving Rayon Sports to join Kenyan Premier League side, AFC Leopards. His resignation came minutes after guiding the Blues to a 2-0 win against archrivals SC Kiyovu in the national league on Wednesday evening at Kigali Regional Stadium. Minnaert, who arrived at Rayon after a stint with Djoliba AC of Mali, replaced David Donadei, who quit Rayon after two months in charge from. “It is over between me and Rayon Sports. I am quitting on sporting grounds, nothing else. I wish them all the best. The fans have been wonderful and I thank my players, who really did well in the time I have been here,” Minnaert said during a post-match press conference. At the conference, he also announced that he is joining AFC Leopards: “I have signed for AFC Leopards (for two years). I don’t want to cause problems in Rayon Sports, I have been thinking about it for a month.” The Belgian left the country on Wednesday to take up his new job. When contacted, Rayon Sports secretary general and spokesman, Olivier Gakwaya confirmed Minnaert’s departure and revealed that Djuma Masudi, a former club captain, will be in charge of the team as interim coach. On Wednesday, Burundian Pierrot Kwizera scored the opening goal in the 42nd minute with a powerful header off Thierry Manzi’s cross from the right flank before Malian striker Ismaillia Dialla doubled on the hour mark. With the win, Rayon Sports jumped to third spot with 25 points, four behind leaders Mukura and one ahead of APR FC, who dropped to fourth spot while SC Kiyovu remains in seventh place with 17 points. Meanwhile, Mukura defeated AS Kigali 2-0 to move to the top spot of the table. Christopher Ndayishimiye scored the opening goal in the 12th minute to take his goal tally to six goals scored this season off a corner kick by Muhadjiri Hakizimana before the provider added a second goal in the 41st minute, his 8th goal of the season. Godfroid Okoko’s team lead the league table standings with 29 points, one point ahead of AS Kigali in 13 matches played this season. editorial@newtimes.co.rw