Rayon Sports activities delivered a composed second-half efficiency to defeat Bugesera FC 2-0 at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Tuesday evening, organising a dramatic final-day showdown with Kiyovu Sports activities within the race for a CAF Confederation Cup place.
Underneath stress after shedding each the league title and the Peace Cup to rivals APR FC final weekend, Rayon knew victory was important to maintain their continental ambitions alive — they usually responded in entrance of a full of life crowd in Nyamirambo.
The primary half was tense and carefully contested, with Bugesera irritating Rayon by means of disciplined defending and fast transitions every time they regained possession.
Though Rayon dominated possession, they struggled to create clear-cut possibilities regardless of sturdy assist from followers anticipating a response following the painful Peace Cup defeat.
The breakthrough lastly got here within the 61st minute when striker Asman Ndikumana rose to the event and opened the scoring.
The ahead discovered area contained in the field and completed calmly, sparking celebrations among the many dwelling supporters and easing the strain across the stadium.
Bugesera tried to push ahead in the hunt for an equaliser, however Rayon remained defensively organised whereas turning into more and more harmful on the counterattack because the match opened up within the closing levels.
Their persistence paid off in stoppage time.
Substitute Aziz Bassane sealed the victory within the ninetieth minute after a swift counterattack that started deep inside Rayon’s personal half. Gloire Tambwe surged ahead earlier than delivering a superbly weighted move for Bassane, who completed clinically to safe all three factors.
The victory leaves Rayon Sports activities on 55 factors, three forward of second-placed Kiyovu Sports activities heading into the ultimate spherical of fixtures.
With APR already finishing a home double by profitable each the league and the Peace Cup, the battle for second place has grow to be the ultimate path to CAF Confederation Cup qualification.
The race will now be selected Friday when Rayon face Kiyovu Sports activities in a high-stakes encounter.
Rayon head into the decisive conflict with the benefit after profitable the first-round assembly 2-0 earlier this season.
Based on league laws, head-to-head outcomes will decide the standings if groups end degree on factors.
Consequently, Rayon will qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup with a win, a draw, or perhaps a one-goal defeat.
Kiyovu, in the meantime, should beat Rayon by at the very least two targets to grab second place on the ultimate day of the season.
