Rayon Sports upon arrival in Kigali
Rwandan league champions Rayon Sports Fc were given a hero’s welcome on Thursday night following their return from Mozambique where snatched a historical berth to the CAF Confederation Cup Group Phase.
Rayon Sports become the first Rwandan club to reach the mini-league stage of a major continental club championship.
The Kigali giants lost 2-0 in Maputo to Mozambican side, Costa do Sol, but progressed 3-2 on aggregate to achieve the historic feat.
The Mozambicans scored two first half goals courtesy of a brace from Isaac de Carvalho in the 30th and 45th minutes, besides missing a penalty.
Rayon Sport FC held on backed by spirited defending in the second half whilst goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye pulled two great saves to deny Lawrence Tisdell and Carvalho.
The team arrived on Thusday night, early Friday morning aboard Ethiopion Airways. They were welcomed by loyal Rayon Sports fans and officials from Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) and Rwanda Olympic Committee.
Hundreds of fans gathered alongside Kigali International Airport and accompanied the team to Stade de Kigali where they held a reception which ended in the early hours (4:45am) of Friday morning.
Qualified teams:
AS Vita (DR Congo), USM Alger (Algeria), El Masry (Egypt), CARA (Congo), El Hilal (Sudan), Gor Mahia (Kenya), UD Songo (Mozambique), Enyimba (Nigeria), Aduana (Ghana), Young Africans (Tanzania), RS Berkane (Morocco), Williamsville (cote d’Ivoire), Djoliba (Mali), Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco).
Rayon Sports die-hard
Click here for more exclusive photos on our flicker
