Rayon Sports lost 1-0 to Singida Black Stars FC in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup 2025 preliminary round, played on Saturday evening, September 20, at Kigali Pele Stadium. With the stands filled mostly by Murera fans, the game began with Rayon Sports showing intent to dominate, while Singida looked organized in their build-up play. In the 22nd minute, the visitors took the lead through Marouf Tchakei, who headed in a well-delivered free kick to beat goalkeeper Serumogo Ali. After conceding, Rayon’s supporters grew quieter, but the team kept pressing for an equalizer without succe

Rayon Sports lost 1-0 to Singida Black Stars FC in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup 2025 preliminary round, played on Saturday evening, September 20, at Kigali Pele Stadium. With the stands filled mostly by Murera fans, the game began with Rayon Sports showing intent to dominate, while Singida looked organized in their build-up play. In the 22nd minute, the visitors took the lead through Marouf Tchakei, who headed in a well-delivered free kick to beat goalkeeper Serumogo Ali. After conceding, Rayon’s supporters grew quieter, but the team kept pressing for an equalizer without success. The first half ended with Singida ahead, 1-0. In the second half, head coach Afhamia Lotfi made tactical changes, including the introduction of Aziz Bassane, who added intensity and creativity in attack. Rayon Sports created several chances through Ndayishimiye Richard, Ndikumana Asman, and Habimana Yves, but failed to convert them. In stoppage time, Rayon came close again but Singida’s defense held firm, sealing a narrow away victory. The starting lineup for Rayon Sports included: Serumogo Ali, Nshimiyimana Emmanuel, Ndayishimiye Richard, Habimana Yves, Asman Ndikumana, Adama Bagayogo, Niyonzima Olivier Seifu, Rushema Chriss, Tambwe Gloire, and Nshimiyimana Fabrice. For Singida Black Stars: Obasogie Amas, Nickson Clement, Khalid Aucho, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Khalid Habibu, Horso Muaku Malanga, Marouf Tchakei, Chukwu Morice, Anthony Tra, Clatous Chama, and Koffi Ande. The second leg will be played next Saturday in Tanzania at the Azam Complex Stadium, where Rayon Sports must win to advance to the next qualifying round. Rayon are returning to continental football after missing out last season. They last featured in 2023, when they were eliminated by Libya’s Al-Hilal Benghazi in the second round on penalties (4-2). The Rwandan giants secured their CAF Confederation Cup ticket by finishing second in the national league and reaching the Peace Cup final. Fans remain hopeful that Rayon Sports can revive the spirit of 2018, when they became the first Rwandan club to reach the group stage of the tournament after eliminating Mozambique’s Costa do Sol on a 3-2 aggregate.

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