Rayon Sports started their 2023/24 Rwanda Premier League season on a bright note as they beat Gasogi United 2-1 at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Friday, August 18. Rayon new coach Zelfani Yamen started the game with five of his new signings namely Ally Serumogo at right back ,Burundian duo of Aruna Madjaliwa and Emmanuel Mvuyekure in central midfield while Ugandan striker Charles Bbaale led the attack with Rharb Youssef operating from his left in a 4-3-3 formation. The attacking play of Rayon Sports started from the start of the whistle as they pinned their opponents into their own half. Rayon played with so much fluidity which allowed Joackim Ojera and Rharb Youssef who were on the right and left side of their attack to flourish. The Blues could have opened the scores in the eighth minute as Bbaale connected a superb cross from Ojera with his head but it missed the post and went off target. The deadlock of the game was broken in the 11th minute as Bbaale who was tormenting the Gasogi backline shot his side ahead with a fantastic finish. ALSO READ: Preview Gasogi aim to upset Rayon Sports in league opener The goal got the Rayon faithfuls on their feet as they chanted amidst drumming and dancing. Gasogi decided to sit back and soak the pressure as they sought to catch Rayon on the break but they quickly abandoned that idea with Ally Serumogo and Elie Ganijuru remaining solid in lateral defence for Rayon and serving as stumbling block. Ojera who was a tough customer for the Gasogi players beautifully set up Rharb Youssef and the Moroccan made no mistake by putting the ball at the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 17th minute. Gasogi, who had been second best in the game lifted up their output as they closed all the spaces which Rayon were exploiting. Theodor Malipangou broke lose through the middle in the 40th minute but was cynically brought down by Isaac Mitima with the defender earning a yellow card. Gasogi launched another dangerous attack in the 42nd minute but Kevin Ishimwe was not fast enough as Ally Serumogo cleared the ball for a corner kick which was wasted. Rayon ended the first half leading 2-0 and being the better side. The second half started with Gasogi threatening the vital area of Rayon Sports as they created some decent chances but failed to utilize them. Rayon scored again in the 58th minute with their first major attack in the second half through Joackim Ojera but the goal was ruled offside. Theodor Malipangou had gradually warmed himself into the game and he was bossing the midfield to perfection as he kept Aruna Madjaliwa on his toes. Rayon's midfield looked tired and Majaliwa and Luvumbu were pulled out in the 80th minute with two holding midfielders namely Eric Ngendahimana and Rashid Kalisa being brought in to stabilized that department. Gasogi had a penalty in the 89th minute following an infringement in the Rayon vital area and Theodor Malipangou stepped up to beautifully slot home the spot kick to reduce the deficit. There were no major chances in injury time as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game with Rayon winning 2-1.
