Rayon Sports beat KVZ SC 2-0 in CECAFA Kagame Cup opener (Photos)

Rayon Sports marked their long-awaited return to the CECAFA Kagame Cup with an impressive 2-0 victory over Zanzibar debutants KVZ SC in their Group C opener at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday.

Playing in the regional tournament for the first time since 2019, the Blues produced a disciplined display before second-half goals from substitutes Herman Junior Kameni and Daniel Muhoza secured all three points and moved the Rwandan giants’ level with Sudan’s Al-Hilal at the top of Group C.

Backed by thousands of supporters, Rayon Sports dominated the opening exchanges and looked determined to make an early breakthrough.

Nizeyimana Mubaraka forced the first opportunity of the afternoon after four minutes before Boris Gbenou delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded his teammates inside the six-yard box.

The hosts continued to dictate possession, with Issa Djiguiba, Ibrahim Mansourou Djingarey and Antonio Atisso combining well in attack.

Djingarey came closest midway through the first half when he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Hamad Ubwa, but failed to convert the gilt-edged opportunity.

KVZ SC, making their first appearance in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, defended resolutely and occasionally threatened on the counterattack, but struggled to create clear chances against a well-organised Rayon Sports defence.

The two sides went into the interval locked at 0-0 despite the Rwandan side’s dominance.

Head coach Francis Haringingo reshuffled his attack immediately after the restart, introducing Elie Tatou, whose impact was almost immediate.

The winger injected pace and creativity into Rayon Sports’ attacking play, forcing KVZ onto the back foot as the home side intensified the pressure.

Rayon Sports’ persistence was finally rewarded in the 66th minute when Tatou was brought down inside the penalty area after a surging run.

The referee pointed to the spot, and substitute Herman Junior Kameni kept his composure to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and give the hosts a deserved lead.

The goal lifted the atmosphere inside Amahoro Stadium as the home supporters celebrated loudly, urging their team to push for a second goal rather than protect their advantage.

That decisive second goal arrived in the 79th minute.

Another substitute, Daniel Muhoza, latched onto a well-worked move to calmly finish beyond Hamad Ubwa just minutes after replacing Djingarey, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

Rayon Sports nearly extended their lead further when Tatou’s superb free-kick struck the crossbar, but the hosts comfortably managed the closing stages as KVZ searched unsuccessfully for a route back into the contest.

The victory was an encouraging start to Rayon Sports’ quest for a second regional crown.

The Kigali-based club last lifted the competition in 1998, when it was still known as the CECAFA Club Cup, before the tournament was renamed the CECAFA Kagame Cup in 2002.

Having ended a seven-year absence from the competition with a confident performance, Rayon Sports will now turn their attention to their next Group C fixture against Kenya’s Tusker FC.

The Blues will also be eager to maintain their impressive start as they continue their quest for a first CECAFA Kagame Cup title in nearly three decades. 

Photos