Rayon Sports head coach Francis Haringingo credited winger Elie Tatou Iradukunda for making a significant impact as his side secured a 2-0 victory over Zanzibar’s KVZ SC in their opening Group C match of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday.
The Blues struggled to make an impact in attack during the first half despite enjoying the majority of possession. Their fortunes changed after Haringingo introduced Iradukunda for Boris Gbenou in the second half.
The pacey winger quickly became a nightmare for the KVZ defence, repeatedly using his speed and aggressive dribbling to penetrate the box.
His immediate impact paid off when Junior Herman Kameni broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after Iradukunda was brought down inside the box.
Ten minutes later, substitute Daniel Muhoza doubled Rayon Sports’ advantage with a fine finish to seal a 2-0 victory for the Rwandan giants.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Haringingo highlighted Iradukunda’s introduction as a key turning point in the game.
"It was a difficult game. Our opponents tried to take advantage of counterattacks, which forced us to be patient and limited our opportunities to create chances. However, bringing on Iradukunda changed everything. He played a big role in the win,” Haringingo told reporters.
The victory gave Rayon Sports a positive start as they seek to finish top of a Group C that also features Sudanese giants Al Hilal SC and Kenya’s Tusker FC.
Despite the convincing result, Haringingo believes there is still room for improvement as the tournament progresses. He also stressed the importance of giving every player in his squad sufficient playing time, particularly after the squad members joined the team at different stages of pre-season preparations.
"We will continue to provide balanced playing time for each and every player within the squad. I believe that they all have a lot to prove and show to their fans. We had players who joined at different phases of pre-season, so we have to adapt accordingly,” he said.
Rayon Sports will next face Tusker FC, who will be looking to bounce back after their opening defeat to Al Hilal SC.