Rayon Sports president Thaddée Twagirayezu insists his club won’t let arch rivals APR easily rule the league as far as the tile is concerned. Twagurayezu was responding to remarks recently made by APR FC’s honorary president, Gen Mubarakh Muganga who argued that Rayon shouldn’t even be coming close and stand in their way in the title race. APR FC won the 2024/25 league title with just four points separating them with Rayon who finished in second place. Rayon were at the time leading the table until the 28th match day when Bugsera FC beat them 2-1 in a match that was shaped by refereeing controversies which led it to be played twice. ALSO READ: We weren’t good enough last season, admits Rayon board chair Losing the title to APR left and Rayon fans and the club management so shocked but Twagirayezu said the team has no intention of backing down. “Players, don’t allow anyone to breathe down your necks,” said Gen Muganga during a speech he delivered at Intare Fan Club’s 10th anniversary. “Push them far. This business of someone sticking too close is not good, and it doesn’t represent what Rwandan army forces stand for—and you are just like them.” Reacting to the remarks, Twagirayezu said, “look, if someone is this close to you (touching his shoulder), can you really feel at peace? Personally, I’d rather see someone coming from the front than sneaking up behind me.” “As for breathing down their necks, we’re not going to stop. They know it too—we excite them, but we also make them nervous. APR FC have dominated Rwandan football in recent years, winning six consecutive league titles, with their most recent coming in the 2024/25 season, during which they also won the Peace Cup—beating Rayon Sports 2-0 in the final. Rayon’s last league title came in the 2018/19 season. Both clubs will represent Rwanda in CAF competitions this year. APR, as champions, will play in the CAF Champions League while Rayon will take part in the CAF Confederation Cup.
