Rayon Sports will be looking for their first away win when they take on USM Alger in their second-leg of the Total CAF Confederation Cup at Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, Algeria on Sunday. The Blues lost their first-leg match to USM Alger 2-1 last week and will be hoping to secure their first group stage away in Algeria. However, it is expected to be tough for a side that travelled without six of their key players – including skipper Pierrot Kwizera. Before departing to Algeria on Thursday afternoon, Rayon Sports coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo told Saturday Sport, “We don’t have many of our Key players, and it is absolutely going to be hard but doesn’t mean we should give up before we even get on the pitch. The intention is to win and that’s what we are looking for in Algiers.” The eight-time Rwandan champions are yet to record a win in the group stage of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup. Rayon Sports, head into Sunday’s clash in third spot with two points in a four-team group topped by USM Alger, who have seven points from their first three matches. The 2015 CAF Champions League finalists thumped Tanzania’s Young Africans 4-0 in their first Group D game at home, before drawing 0-0 with Kenyan side Gor Mahia away and defeating Rayon Sports 2-1 last week in Kigali. Kenyan side Gor Mahia, who play away to Young Africans this Sunday, have five points in three matches played so far. Rayon Sports players who will miss the game this weekend include; suspended Kevin Muhire and Ange Jimmy Mutsinzi (two accumulative yellow cards), and, Eric Rutanga and Olivier Niyonzima - both through injuries. The other two are Burundi international Kwizera and Faustin Usengimana, who are reported to be focused on securing professional moves abroad. Burkina Faso’s match referee Juste Ephrem Zio will take charge of the game between the Algerian giants and Rayon Sports. Meanwhile, the other Group D clash on match-day 4 between Young Africans and Gor Mahia will take place at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam on Sunday. The top two teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals of the competition after match-day six of the group stage. Rayon Sports squad to Algeria Kassim Ndayisenga, Abouba Bashunga, Gabriel Mugabo, Eric Irambona, Saddam Nyandwi, Thierry Manzi, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Francois Mugisha, Yannick Mukunzi, Nova Bayama, Djabel Manishimwe, Yassin Mugume, Innocent Twagirayezu, Christ Mbondi, Ismaila Diarra and Gilbert Mugisha. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
