Touring Gor look for perfect start in Kigali

Dylan Kerr’s side can take a big step towards continental prominence by beating Rwanda’s Rayon Sport this afternoon at the 22,000-seater Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali in their opening Caf Confederation Cup Group D match.

The match kicks off at 7pm.

Tanzania’s Young Africans play away to USM Alger of Algeria on Sunday in the other Group D fixture.

The prospects of regaining continental glory, together with the chance of winning the Sh35 million cash reward reserved for the top two teams, had Gor fans brimming with anticipation and excitement as they arrived in Kigali in four 60-seater buses sponsored by local politicians in Kenya.

Last month, the 16-time champions celebrated landing in a relatively easy group, but the tough work of overcoming their opponents begins.

Kerr will be happy with the return of Ugandan utility player Godfrey Walusimbi, whose pay dispute with the club that forced him sit out training with the team for two months has since been resolved.

Missing for the K’Ogalo team through injury are defenders Wellington Ochieng and Karim Nizigiyimana.

Striker Meddie Kagere has been in impressive form so far this year, and so has his Rwandan counterpart Jacques Tuyisenge, and should lead the attack.

Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch is invaluable because his experience in such competitions is a great asset, although he should be encouraged to be more attentive especially to long balls.

Midfielder Francis Kahata is then likely to be preferred at the right wing where he is at his most dangerous.

“Meddie and Jacques are key in this match. They will be playing at home and it is a chance to show their colleagues how far they’ve come. I hope that can drive them to deliver a good performance,” said Kerr. Rayon Sports squad has six Rwandan internationals. On paper, Gor have what it takes to get a good result in Kigali. Just like Gor, Rayon Sports is one of Rwanda’s oldest football clubs and the second most successful behind traditional arch-rivals APR.

Rayon Sports have won eight league titles, nine Peace Cup (formerly Rwanda Cup) titles, one Cecafa Kagame Cup in 1998 and the Kigali 100 Years’ Anniversary Cup in 2007.

The Rayon Sports have been to the Caf Champions League seven times, and are playing the Confederation Cup a fourth time.

This is however their first time to make the group stage of a continental competition.

Rayon are under the tutelage of Belgian coach Ivan Minneart, best remembered by Kenyans for his short stint with AFC Leopards. “The least we want to do is win all our home games. It is exciting having reached this far but we can achieve a lot more if we remain focused and work even harder,” Minnaert told Rwandan media.