CAF Champions League: Rayon off to SA for Mamelodi clash

SundayMamelodi Vs Rayon 7pm Thierry Manzi will return to Rayon Sports starting line up after missing the first leg. File. RAYON Sports depart for South Africa on Saturday morning, at 9am, aboard a RwandaAir flight ahead of Sunday’s return-leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League first round. The two teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg on March 7 at Amahoro National Sadium. The aggregate winner will advance to group stage of Africa’s biggest club football competition. However, the Rwandan champions will go into the crucial tie without two key players Shassir Nahimana and Yassin Mugume, but centre-back defender Thierry Manzi is back into the fold after missing the reverse fixture through suspension. Burundi international Nahimana was dropped from the team after an unimpressive performance in the first-leg match, in which he was substituted after just 34 minutes while Ugandan forward Mugume is also out form, according to head coach Ivan Minnaert. Despite playing away against one of Africa’s finest football clubs, Rayon Sports’ Belgian technician has tipped his players to rise to the occassion in Pretoria tomorrow. “We anticipate a tough game, and very tough on both sides. We have been learning their game with the help of the first-leg game video and did everything we can to prepare accordingly. We are ready for the mission in South Africa,” Minnaert said on Wednesday. Apart from Minnaert and the 18-player squad, the travelling party also includes assistant coach Janot Witakenge, Cornolle Hategekimana (physical coach), and Charles Mugemana (team doctor). Others are the club’s vice president, Prosper Muhirwa, and secretary general Bernard Itangishaka as well as FERWAFA representative, Albert Kayiranga. 18-player squad: Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye, Cassim Ndayisenga, Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana, Eric Irambona, Pierrot Kwizera, Thierry Manzi, Gabriel Mugabo, Francois Master Mugisha, Yannick Mukunzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Olivier Sefu Niyonzima, Saddam Nyandwi, Ismaila Diarra, Eric Rutanga, Christ Mbondi, Faustin Usengimana, Shaban Hussein and Kevin Muhire. editorial@newtimes.co.rw