Rayon Sports will be aiming to cause a major upset when they lock horns with Enyimba in a second-leg 2018 Caf Confederations Cup quarterfinal clash at Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Sunday afternoon.
The reverse fixture in Kigali, Rwanda ended in a goalless draw with both teams unable to convert a catalog of goal-scoring opportunities.
Enyimba will be favourites to advance into the final four in front of their home fans, but Rayon have proven in recent months that they are more than capable travelers on the African continent.
Gikundiro held both Young Africans and USM Alger to draws before beating Kenyan champions Gor Mahia 2-1 in their most recent away match in the CAFCC.
The Rwandan outfit, though, will have to do without Eric Rutanga and Yannick Mukunzi for the clash with both players unavailable for the match in Aba.
Peoples’ Elephant boast a commanding record on home soil having recorded three wins from three group stage matches on Nigerian turf. Enyimba beat Djoliba AC, CARA Brazzaville and Williamsville AC without conceding a single goal.
Key to their success thus far has been goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai who has pulled off some memorable saves on Enyimba’s journey on the continent and the club will be counting on their towering shot-stopper to keep out Rayon once more this weekend.
“I am thrilled by my run of Confederation Cup clean sheets,” Afelokhai told SuperSport.com ahead of the match. “It is not easy to go 90 minutes without conceding a goal.
“My dream is to be part of history by helping Enyimba become the first Nigerian winners of the Confederation Cup.”
Egyptian referee Gehad Grisha will take charge of the match.
CAF CC – Rayon Sports FC are expected to arrive Nigeria on Friday from Kigali via Lagos ahead of Sunday’s second leg quarter-final match of CAF Confederations Cup against Enyimba in Aba.
The Rwandan club left Kigali for Lagos on Thursday morning aboard Rwandair and will connect to Aba on Friday morning in two batches, with the first to leave at 7 am and the rest at 9 am respectively.
As confirmed in a report on the Rwandan Football Federation website, ferwafa.rw.
The Vice President of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) Marcel Habyarimana leads the 40-man delegation.
The squad which held Enyimba Fc to a goalless draw in Kigali last Sunday will be aiming to register an away win to be granted a place in the last four of the lucrative CAF Confederation Cup.
The Blues have been boosted by the return of the center back Manzi Thierry who missed two of their previous fixtures due to a two-match suspension imposed by CAF.
Meanwhile, Brazilian tactician Roberto Oliviera has insisted Rayon Sports Caf Confederation Cup hope is alive despite their 0-0 1st leg quarter-final draw.
The hosts blew away plenty of scoring chances as Enyimba’s goalie Theophilus Afelokhai was at his best to earn the visitors a point but Oliveira has predicted that his side would fight their way back into the tie in the second leg.
“We will push to score goals and win the game, and we have proved we can score and win matches on foreign soil.
Coach of Rwandan Club side, Roberto do Carmo has revealed his team will be coming for a win over Enyimba International FC in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists during the post match conference, the Brazilian said it was a difficult but important game for both sides and that the tie is still a very open one.
“Today was a difficult game. It was very important for my players to show their capacity in the field. It was an open match.” He said
Roberto do Carmo also stated that his objective was to win but since he only got a draw, thanks to Enyimba’s resilience, he’ll head to Nigeria with the same objective.
“My objective was to win but I congratulate Enyimba for the draw. I trust my players and my team. We’ll go to Nigeria with respect but with the same objective.” He concluded.
Rayon Sports will visit the newly rehabilitated Aba stadium for the return leg of the fixture on Sunday, September 23 for a chance to advance to the semifinals of the CAFCC.
Enyimba forward Wasiu Alalade says he is confident the People’s Elephant will secure the semifinal ticket on the ongoing CAF CC after holding Rayon Sports to a goalless draw in Kigali.
Speaking via Brila FM, Alalade expressed his satisfaction with the goalless draw his side was able to secure away in Kigali.
“We tried our possible best,” Alalade told Brila FM.
“And fortunately, we were able to leave Kigali with a point.
“One point is not too bad for us, We will finish the job in the second leg in Nigeria,” the 20-year-old winger stated.
Although, Rayon Sports dominated the game in the first half but found the Ifeanyi Anaemena led defence too strong to break down.
Theophilus Afelokhai, however, produced a big save in the 20th minute to deny the Gikundiro of scoring the game’s opening goal.
Enyimba took control of the game in the second half and were let down by their profligacy in front of goal.
The duo of Ibrahim Mustapha and Sunday Adetunji wasted clear-cut chances in the 48th and 60th minutes respectively.
The return leg will take place next week Sunday at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
Two-time African champions, Enyimba, have departed Lagos for Kigali today for their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal fixture against Rwandan side Rayon Sports billed Sunday.
Newly capped Super Eagles forward Sunday Adetunji says he is shifting attention from his latest achievement to weekend’s CAF CC tie with Rwandan club side Rayon Sports.
Adetunji was one of the four invited NPFL players that got called-up up to join the Super Eagles team enroute Monrovia and was lucky enough to make his debut, replacing Crotone’s Simy Nwankwo on the night in Monrovia.
The Enyimba forward gave God the glory for the National team opportunity and told our reporter that he is prepared to do more if called upon.
However, the lanky forward stressed he has put the match against Liberia behind him and now looking forward to the continental match against Rayon Sports of Rwanda.
“I’m fully prepared and focused on the CAF Confederations Cup game, Adetunji stated.
The People’s Elephant, Enyimba will hit Kigali on Friday for their weekend tie with Rayon Sports in a Confederation Cup quarterfinals clash.
Enyimba players and officials will leave for Kigali, Rwanda on Friday ahead of their weekend’s Caf Confederation Cup 1st leg quarterfinal tie with the Rwandan side.
The People’s Elephant must avoid a defeat in Kigali if they are to nurture any ambition of qualifying for the Semifinal of the second-tier club competition.
Rayon Sports will host Enyimba at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo (Stade de Kigali), on 16th September 2018, while the reverse fixture will be staged at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba on September 23rd.
Should they qualify on aggregate, the Peoples Elephant will face the winner between CARA Brazzaville and Raja Casablanca for a chance to compete in the two-legged final.
The Peoples Elephant are looking to become the first Nigerian club to win the CAF Confederation Cup.
Credit: OwnGoal
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