Rayon lacked quality and fitness, says Kayiranga

In the wake of Rayon Sports elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Egyptian giants Zamalek, newly appointed head coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga has blamed his team’s dismal performance on lack of quality and low fitness levels in the squad. Kayiranga acknowledged that the Blues’ movement and formation when they won the ball or lost it was ineffective especially as they played a highly tactical side like Zamalek that had quality players in every department. “When we had possession, we did not position ourselves to create scoring chances. We did well in the first half and could have scored but we did not make it count,” explained an obviously disappointed Kayiranga after losing his first game in charge. Striker Peter Otema beat the entire Zamalek defense in the 28th minute but sent his shot way above the woodwork in what would be one of the very few chances attempted by the home side. A minute later, Otema once again cut into the penalty box on the inside from the right flank, beat the Zamalek defense but goalkeeper Ahmed Nasser Mahmoud stepped up and Otema’s shot bounced off his knee as the two collided to go above the woodwork. Otema’s attempts were the closest Rayon Sports came to scoring on the day as they squandered any chances from set-pieces. Team captain Fuadi Ndayisenga consistently sent low shots into the penalty box from corner-kicks and Zamalek enjoyed a field day clearing them and mounting counter attacks at the other end. It is the Blues’ formation while defending a counter attack that worried Kayiranga, for, the midfielders who were sucked into the penalty box trying to score from a corner-kick, dragged their feet to help the defense against the swift Zamalek forwards. Many a time, Basem Morsy and Aly Hefny ran at the Rayon Sports’ defense which was caught ball watching or marking space and for the three goals conceded in front of the home fans, the absence of communication can be faulted on the Blues’ camp. Kayiranga said, “I was given the team’s training report earlier this week and when I analysed it, I found out that the players are not practicing at the level they should be. You can see that there is a very big difference with the Zamalek players in regards to fitness.” “When you look at the players we have and the time they have spent playing in the positions they occupied yesterday (Sunday), it is still not good enough but we are looking at trying to correct our mistakes and improving from now onwards,” added the optimistic Kayiranga. Rayon Sports are currently eighth on the National Football League standings with 27 points from 20 games, with two in hand and Kayiranga is eyeing the highest possible finish for the troubled side.