Rayon Sports may never win the league until they put their house in order

Rayon Sports, arguably Rwanda’s most beloved and widely supported team, continues to grapple with a self-inflicted curse: internal chaos. Despite having the talent, fan base, and resources, to dominate local football, the Blues seem perpetually stuck in a cycle of promising starts, mid-season collapses, and reactionary decisions that undo any progress made. The suspension (we can even call it, sacking) of head coach Roberto Oliveira “Robertinho” is the latest chapter in a script Rayon Sports have followed for far too long. Officially, his suspension was attributed to “illness,” but it’s widely understood that the real reason was the club’s dip in form—two wins from their last 10 games and the loss of top spot to rivals APR FC. Yet the Brazilian tactician is arguably being made a scapegoat for a crisis much larger than one man’s matchday tactics. No successful football club in the world operates on panic, yet Rayon Sports have made it a habit. From letting go of players mid-season to overriding coaches' transfer wishes, the management has repeatedly undermined long-term planning in favor of short-term fixes. The club released backup strikers Charles Bbaale and Prince Rudasingwa in January. When star striker Fall Ngagne suffered a season-ending knee ligament injury in February, the team had no ready replacement. The Senegalese, with 13 goals to his name, remains the league top scorer—his absence should have been foreseen and planned for. To make matters worse, the January transfer window became a showcase of misaligned priorities. Media reports indicate that Robertinho had asked for players he believed could fill the void—Ugandan duo of Aziz Fahad Bayo and Bright Anukani, and Ghanaian midfielder Joseph Sackey. Instead, the board brought in their own choices, including Souleymane Daffe, Adulai Jalo, and Abeddy Biramahire. Only the latter has had any real impact. How can a club expect results when the coach doesn't get the tools he needs? The scapegoating didn’t stop with Robertinho-- goalkeeping coach Andre Mazimpaka was also suspended, partly due to his alleged attempts to interfere with players’ bonuses! In the first place, how does a coach get involved in giving players' allowances? Where are the finance people or other administrators? Yes, while accountability is necessary, such decisions must be part of a broader, consistent strategy—not impulsive reactions. Football is a results-driven business, but the best teams understand that success requires patience and planning. Rayon operate like a rudderless ship. This is not the first time they’ve sabotaged a promising campaign. As recent as just two seasons ago, they were in contention for the title but lost it after allowing key players like Joackiam Ojera, Heritier Nzinga Luvumbu and Abdul Rwatubyaye to leave mid-season. The lesson wasn’t learned. Rayon Sports trail APR by just a single point with seven games remaining. The league is far from over. But instead of rallying together, Rayon have opted for internal reshuffling at a critical stage! Claude Rwaka, who was promoted from the women’s team only recently, now has the massive task of salvaging the season that started so well, and promised so much but could end in the usual disappointment for their fans. Football defies logic at times, yes. But the structure, discipline, and vision behind the scenes are what create dynasties. Rayon’s greatest opponent isn’t APR—it’s their own mismanagement. Until they put their house in order, even the best coaches will fall short, and titles will remain elusive. If Rayon Sports truly want to end their five-year (and still counting) league drought, they must stop shooting themselves in the foot, and start building a football project rooted in consistency. Problem is, Rayon and/or Rwandan football in general, is not compatible with the term professionalism, and that's where our game dies. The people running, the club, as they keep changing, must learn to have respect for professional roles, and long-term vision. Only then will the Blues become champions again.