Second leg : March 1Rayon v Harar Beer Rayon Sport has remained positive ahead of their in the Confederations Cup second leg tie against Ethiopia’s Harar Beer on March 11. Rayon assistant coach Thierry Hitimana said on Tuesday after the team’s arrival from Ethiopia that the team had struggled in Ethiopia. “We never played well in Ethiopia but playing at home is an added advantage on every team,” Hitimana said. The blues also blamed the weather conditions in Ethiopia saying that the strong winds and excessive heat affected the players. The striking partnership of Jimmy Gatete and Labama Kamana Bokota failed to produce any convincing positive results for the blues. The blues had last competed in continental championship in 2006 where they fell 1-3 aggregate to Egypt’s Al Ittihad Al-Iskandary. They (Rayon) had won the preliminary round by defeating Ethiopia’s Awassa City 2-0 on goal aggregates. The blues never took part in the 2007 edition after finishing third in the Primus national football league giving a chance to Atraco to make their maiden appearance in the continental championship. Rayon must win the return leg against Ethiopian side by 3-0 to ensure their qualification to second round appearance where they face Sudanese giants Al Merreikh. Rayon’s loss to Harar Beer came a day after APR had lost 1-2 to El Zamalek of Egypt at Nyamirambo stadium.Ends
