Clubs have time to reflect before league returns

The local league will be off until December 21 as the GOTV CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup takes center stage in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.While the Amavubi Stars take on other nations for the coveted title, local coaches will have ample time off the pitch to reflect on how to improve their sides.Clubs like Police FC and Rayon Sports have time to analyse why they have suffered great inconsistencies that do not reflect their strengths last season.Important as well, AS Kigali has got the much needed rest – to go back to the drawing board and bring back the magic that has enabled them stay atop the table for so long.Having lost their last game against Mukura, before the Cecafa break off, they will need to show that the loss was just a hiccup and return to winning ways.Top of the table is really tight; only five points separate first from sixth. When the league finally returns in mid December, expect a hot top-of-the-table clash between AS Kigali, APR, Rayon Sport and Kiyovu. The clubs which prepare best are set to emerge better.Rayon Sport had issues with some of its players and this probably hurt the team’s morale and chemistry.Last month it was reported that Rayon’s striker, Samson Jakeshi, absconded from club activities due to unpaid fees. The club suffered more embarrassment when Papy Kamanzi also deserted the club without notice.These incidences may perhaps now be part of history and no longer a reason to worry, but Rayon Sport’s coach Didier Gomes da Rosa must use this period to seek for a solution with the management, so that the club never gets caught in this kind of situation again.On the other hand, Police FC is yet to justify why it spent so much in the transfer season, only to be languishing in mid table mediocrity.Coach Sam Ssimbwa must do something as soon as possible to return this club to title contention or find himself and some players heading out.At the bottom side of the table, Esperance FC must think of how to drain water out of their sinking ship in order to keep afloat. With nine games played, Esperance has managed to collect only four points and finds itself in real danger of relegation. The same goes for Amaguju, Marines and Muhanga.If these clubs do not use these 30 days to readjust their game approach, they will find themselves playing in lower league football next year.That said; it will be nothing short of a crisis for the clubs that lose their first games after this CECAFA break. Whereas for those that will win, it will only serve to augment their belief.@Rushafrican on Twitter