Setback as Rayon Sports Fc Coach Minnaert is arrested in South Africa
Rwanda’s league champion Rayon Sports have a suffered a technical set back as their head coach Ivan Minnaert was arrested on Wednesday in Polokwane, South Africa.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by South Africa’s media, just a few days before Rayon Sports flies to Maputo to face Mozambican side CD Costa do Sol in the return leg of the second round of the 1/16th due next Wednesday.
Minnaert was locked up in Police custody in Polokwane and will appear in court this week on a case of theft opened by Lidoda Duvha, the owner of NFD side Black Leopards football club.
Last year, Minnaert was in charge of second-tier side Black Leopards for only six games following his appointment. During his stint, he only coached six games and won two before the Limpopo side terminated his contract after just a month.
Rayon Sports Coach Ivan Minnaert seen celebrating their first leg victory over CD Costa do Sol of Mozambique on Friday last week. Courtesy Photo
It is reported that a month after the termination of his contract in December 2017, Minnaert was assaulted by a club official and police later opened an investigation after he was hit by the car he was offered when he joined the club.
Trouble started when Minnaert was told to return the vehicle but then an unnamed club official came to take it from his home.
Minnaert named and took Black Leopards team manager Elijah Mulaudzi to court for attempted murder charges.
Since then, both Minnaert and Black Leopards were waiting on the decision of the court.
Rayon Sports Fc Coach Ivan Minnaert
According to Rayon Sports Fc, Minnaert left for South Africa this week to honour court summons on the existing murder charges only to be arrested for an alleged theft case.
Rayon Sports chairman Muvunyi Paul told media on Wednesday evening, “We unaware of the arrest of coach Minnaert but he left the club on Monday after being given permission to go to South Africa for an on-going court case and was due to return to the club on Wednesday. So we are still waiting for him.”
The Blues who have a 3-0 advantage is expected to head to Mozambique on Sunday for the return leg against CD Costa do Sol.
