Striker Onana Willy Essomba and midfielder Eric Mbirizi are in good shape and ready to play their part in Rayon Sports’ feisty derby against arch-rivals Kiyovu Sports on Friday, November 11, at Kigali Stadium, club management confirmed. Onana, currently the club’s top scorer, was sidelined through a leg injury sustained on October 9 during the Blues’ 2-1 defeat against Kiyovu in the Made in Rwanda final. Mbirizi was also in a race to be fit in time to play the derby after more than 10 days of injury rehab from his home country, Burundi. The two top players were integral to Rayon’s current form, with the club yet to lose or draw a game, having collected 18 points from six league games, so far. They will now be looking to end the Blues’ six-game winless run against Kiyovu when the two sides go head to head for the mouthwatering derby which normally produces entertainment, goals, and at times, drama. “Onana is fit. He has been training with the rest of the team for the past week and he could have played our game against Sunrise but the coach didn’t want to risk him,” club spokesperson Jean Paul Nkurunziza confirmed to Times Sport. “Mbirizi is also ready for the derby after days of rehab in Burundi. The only notable absentee is Raphael Osalue who is injured,” he added. Rayon Sports are at the top of the Rwanda Premier League table with 18 points despite having played two games less than second-placed Kiyovu who have 17 points from eight league games.
