Rayon Sports eager to re-sign Didier Gomes

Beleaguered Rayon Sports want their former coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa to return as head coach ahead of the next season scheduled to start on September 18, Saturday Sport has established. According to a reliable source at the club, the Frenchman who left the club 19 months ago is in talks with the club to take on the job before September 15. The club’s current coach, Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, is out of contract and no formal talks have been held for an extension with just over a month left before the new season starts. When contacted, newly elected Rayon Sports president Denis Gacinya did not confirm nor deny anything, but instead said they are working round the clock to have a new coach in place as soon as possible. “We are still working on our action plan for the next season and next week we will be in a better position to comment about the coach and anything else related to the team,” Gacinya told Times Sport in an exclusive interview on Friday. Gacinya admitted that they are yet to hold talks with Kayiranga about renewing his contract but hinted that if the former Rwanda international is not offered a new deal, his replacement should be someone who will bring success at the club next season. “I have heard rumours (about Gomes) but right now, I cannot tell you much because no decision has been made regarding a new coach or to retain Kayiranga,” Gacinya explained. However, an insider said the club had already contacted Gomes. The French-born tactician, parted ways with the Nyanza-based outfit in January 2014 over unpaid salary for three months which amounted to $9000 [about Rwf6, 110,643m) and joined Cameroonian side Coton Sport de Garoua. The 45-year-old left just months after guiding Rayon Sports to the 2012/2013 league title, their first since 2004. Efforts to get a comment from Gomes proved futile as the Frenchman could not answer repeated calls and emails. Since leaving, Gomes has never hid his love for Rayon Sports and its loyal fans. He once promised to return to “complete his unfinished business.” He, at one time, contributed US$500 towards the money that Rayon Sports owed former coach Raoul Shungu. In case he returns, Gomes will be faced with a much bigger challenge to turn around Rayon Sports’ fortunes especially after the club has lost several first team senior players this year. Players who have left the club include; defenders Abouba Sibomana, Karim Nizigimana (Gor Mahia of Kenya), Aphrodis ‘Kanombe’ Hategekimana and Faudi Ndayisenga (Sofapaka, Kenya), Djihad Bizimana and Faustin Usengimana (APR) Isaac Muganza and Robert Ndatimana (Police) and young striker Frank Romami who signed for Musanze. Rayon Sports, last year’s beaten Peace Cup finalists, have not signed any big-name player with one month to the start of the new season. But they are in talks with former Police skipper and midfielder Fabrice Kasereka, also known as Moussa Mutuyimana. The club has also renewed the contracts of three senior players including midfielders Leo Uwambajimana and Moses Kanamugire as well as team captain and goalkeeper, Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye. The Blues have also signed four new players, who include; central defender Thierry Manzi from Marine FC, forwards Kevin Muhire and Savio Nshuti from Isonga FC and Cedric Mugenzi from Gicumbi.