Venue: Amahoro Stadium, Kigali
Kick off: 2:30PM
Rayon Sports’ Burundian coach, Masudi Djuma, will employ different tactics and draft in several new players as he plans to spring a surprise when his side takes on Rivers United in a second leg, playoff round Caf Confederation Cup game in Kigali on Saturday (today).
Rivers United beat Rayon Sports 2-0 in the first leg in Port Harcourt five days ago, with Emeka Atuloma and Guy Kuemian plundering the goals for the ‘Pride of Rivers’.
Djuma has now revealed a master plan which he believes will see his side progress to the group stages of Africa’s second tier club competition at the expense of the ‘Pride of Rivers’.
“We will change our tactics and some of the players who took part in the first leg will not be available in the second leg,” Djuma told explained.
The former Burundi U23 assistant coach then took the time to stress that he is confident in the ability of his charges to overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
He said: “This is not the first time Rayon has lost the first leg of a tie 2-0 and turned it around.
“We have also lost a game 3-0 and qualified after the second leg so there is no need to panic.
“I trust in God, believe in myself and also my players who I know will get the job done on Saturday.”
Djuma will however have to make do without the services of Congo DR forward, Fabrice Mugeni.
He is suspended.
Mugeni, who played in the first leg in Port Harcourt, picked up bookings in consecutive matches and as such will be suspended for the game on Saturday.
Defender Munezero Fiston has also been ruled out and will most likely be replaced by Ange Mutsinzi Jimmy.
Star striker of Rayon Sports, Moussa Camara, is a doubt for the game as he sustained an ankle injury in training and faces a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, Rivers United manager, Stanley Eguma ,will be hoping his side can preserve a 2-0 first leg advantage against ‘Gikundiro’ and took the time to address our media team ahead of the important game.
Eguma said to www.riversunitedfc.com.ng: “Nothing has been decided yet,
“Rayon proved they are a very good side in the first leg and were very unlucky not to score in Port Harcourt.
“If we play (on Saturday) like we have already qualified, we will be knocked out; I have no doubt about that.”
Doubts had been raised over the fitness of United left back, Zoumana Doumbia, but the Togolese star eventually travelled with the Nigerian contingent to Kigali on Thursday.
Eguma however disclosed that a late fitness test will be conducted on the defender today to ascertain if he will be available for selection.
He said: “Zoumana’s condition has improved and that is why he travelled with us to Kigali.
“I still don’t know if he will play but we will assess him before making a decision.”
Rayon Sports will need a three-goal margin victory over Rivers United at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali to progress to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup.