PHOTOS: Karekezi oversees first Rayon Sports training session following his release

Rayon Sports head coach Olivier Karekezi oversaw his first training session yesterday a week after his release from the police custody over alleged cybercrime. Karekezi was arrested November 17 on the same day his former assistant and former Rayon legend Hamad ‘Katauti’ Ndikumana was laid to rest after he suddenly died from his home in Nyakabanda, a Kigali city suburb. Eric Irambona and Ange Mutsinzi yesterday. The team have been out of action for weeks following Karekezis arrest and the death of assistant coach Hamad Ndikumana. / Sam Ngendahimana Forward Caleb Bonfils Bimenyimana was among those who turned up for Karekezis first training session in charge following his release from police custody. / Sam Ngendahimana Gabriel Mugabo and Radju Niyonkuru are taken through their paces at Nzove ground yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana It was the former Amavubi captains first training session after he was released last week.His arrest came after the sudden death of his former assistant Hamad Ndikumana. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports are in position 11th on the Azam Rwanda Premier League table but have several games in hand and return to action December 19. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports head coach Olivier Karekezi and his assistant Marcel Lomami oversee Rayon Sports first training session following the formers release. / Sam Ngendahimana. Rayon Sports winger Nova Bayama during the training session on the outskirts of the capital Kigali yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana Prior to Katauti’s death, the club had also lost their second-choice goalkeeper Evariste Mutuyimana, who also suddenly died from his home in September over alleged respiratory complications. Police said Karekezi’s arrest had no connection with his former assistant’s death, with sources claiming his arrest could have been connected to his alleged involvement in a plot to ensure the national football team, Amavubi, lost their decisive CHAN 2018 match against Ethiopia in Kigali in November. Rayon Sports defender Ange Mutsinzi and striker Tidiane Kone (2nd left) lead their teammates during the training session in Kigali yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana Karekezi addresses the media after the training session, his first following his arrest on the same day his former assistant Hamad Ndikumana was laid to rest last month. / Sam Ngendahimana Karekezi and his assistant Marcel Lomami with some Rayon Sports officials after the training at Nzove ground yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana Karekezi conduct his first training following his release from Police custody over cybercrime claims. Rayon return to action against Etincelles at Umuganda on Dec 19. / Sam Ngendahimana Karekezi during his teams training in Nzove on the outskirts of Kigali yesterday. The have not been in action for weeks following a spate of troubles. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports stars during their first training session under Olivier Karekezi in over a month, at Nzove ground yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana The former APR forward watches as his players undertake their first training session in weeks. / Sam Ngendahimana Rwanda were held to 1-1 by visitors Ethiopia in that tie but the former qualified for the 2018 CHAN finals, thanks to their away 3-2 victory in the first leg. Speaking to journalists yesterday, Karekezi expressed delight for returning to his job, saying the reigning Azam Rwanda Premier League champions were looking to put their recent troubles behind them. Karekezi puts forward Tidiane Kone through his paces during the training session at Nzove ground yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana Karekezi told journalists after the training session that he hopes to get a new assistant coach to replace deceased club legend Hamad Katauti Ndikumana, early next year. / Sam Ngendahimana Olivier Karekezi leads from the front in his first training session with the Azam Rwanda Premier League champions on the outskirts of Kigali yesterday. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon players and coaching staff join hands in prayer yesterday following a spate of troubles that involved two deaths and arrest of their head coach. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports first training under Karekezi in weeks was followed by a crowd of blues fans. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports will take on Enticelles on Dcember 19 before clashing with their nemesis APR FC on Boxing Day. / Sam Ngendahimana The reigning Azam Rwanda Premier League champions are set to return to action against Etincelles Tuesday next week. / Sam Ngendahimana Rayon Sports have been out of action for several weeks now having requested for postponement of a couple of fixtures in the wake of Karekezi’s arrest and Katauti’s sudden death. The team, in 11th position on the league table, return to action against Enticelles in Rubavu Tuesday next week, after which they will take on their nemesis APR FC on Boxing Day. editorial@newtimes.co.rw