CAF Confederation Cup: Rayon Sports advance after goalless draw with Panthère du Ndé

Rayon Sports secured their place in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Cameroonian side Panthère Sportive du Ndé at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday, advancing on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Cameroon.

The result capped a dramatic night in Kigali, with Rayon surviving late pressure from Panthère and ultimately doing enough to progress.

The Blue and White of Kigali made the brighter start and should have taken the lead inside the opening minute.

Herman Junior Kameni struck the post with a powerful effort, with the rebound eventually falling safely into the hands of Panthère goalkeeper Marc Janvier Nomo.

Panthère gradually settled and began causing problems of their own.

Cyprien Joel Saha fired over from distance before Rayon defender Charles Tchouplaou almost put through his own net in the 14th minute when he attempted to deal with a dangerous cross from Beo Batto.

Goalkeeper Dande Junior reacted quickly to keep Rayon level.

The hosts then began to dominate possession and create better opportunities.

Ishimwe Ganijuru Elie delivered a dangerous ball into the box in the 28th minute, but Kameni’s header was comfortably saved by Nomo. Kameni went close again moments later, sending a promising effort over the crossbar.

Rayon continued to push before the break, with Elie Tatou handed two excellent chances in stoppage time.

His first shot was saved by Nomo, while he failed to find the target with his second attempt after the goalkeeper had again denied him.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Rayon pressing for the opening goal but Panthère remaining dangerous on the counter.

Kameni tested Nomo again in the 55th minute, forcing the goalkeeper to turn his low shot behind for a corner.

Didier Nshuti then headed narrowly over following another set-piece opportunity.

As the match entered its final 20 minutes, the tension inside Amahoro Stadium grew.

Rayon supporters raised the noise levels, but their team struggled to produce the decisive final pass or finish.

Panthère almost broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute when Saha and his teammates found space inside the Rayon penalty area.

The visitors, however, failed to make the opportunity count.

Then came the biggest chance of the night.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Panthère goalkeeper Nomo came out of his goal and was dispossessed by Gloire Tambwe.

With the goal completely open, Tambwe's effort struck the post and bounced away, leaving Rayon players and supporters stunned.

Panthère had one final opportunity moments later, but Dande Junior produced an important save to deny Joyce Bamen.

The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw and Rayon Sports secure a place in the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Rayon Sports head coach Haringingo Francis Christian named the following starting XI:

• 35 Dande Junior
• 4 Akbar Muderi
• 5 Nshimiyimana Emmanuel (C)
• 6 Nisingizwe Christian
• 7 Atisso Kossivi Kodjo
• 16 Ishimwe Ganijuru Elie
• 18 Tchitongou Charles Tchouplaou
• 22 Nshuti Didier
• 25 Herman Junior Kameni
• 26 Gloire Ngongo Tambwe
• 40 Iradukunda Elie Tatou

Substitutes:

• 3 Uwumukiza Obed
• 12 Nizeyimana Mubaraka
• 19 Matumona Wakonda Kanda
• 20 Nkudimana
• 21 Muhoza Daniel
• 24 Tony Kitoga
• 28 Nshimimana Fabrice
• 32 Mugisha Yves
• 39 Hakizimana Zuberi

Panthère Sportive du Ndé head coach Ebwelle Ndingue Bertin selected:

• 22 Marc Janvier Nomo Onguene
• 2 Ivan Tsafo
• 4 Jacques Bertin Nguemaleu (C)
• 5 Philemon Barba Ware
• 7 Cyprien Joel Saha Bikim
• 8 Valentin Beo Batto
• 18 Theo Matthew William Jr
• 19 Francois Patrick Essimbi Essimbi
• 20 Joyce Bamen Ndjeya
• 21 Cho Maxwell Mbuyan
• 27 Geoge Mbarga Atedzoe

Substitutes:

• 6 Gaetan Doko Bello
• 12 Prosper Messemida
• 16 Malik Njoya Mohamed
• 17 Paul Kembeng
• 28 Aminou Vepoumbouot
• 33 Lyam Sia
• 34 Gabriel Djicka.

Photos