Rayon Sports, Rwanda’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, earned a valuable point away from home after drawing 1-1 with Panthère Sportive du Ndé in the first leg of the preliminary round.
The match was played at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Friday, September 4, 2026. However, the game attracted a relatively small crowd compared with the stadium’s capacity of more than 42,500 spectators.
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Issa Djiguiba Misses the Match
Rayon Sports player Issa Djiguiba was not included on the CAF approved squad list for the match because he had not yet obtained the necessary documentation to join the club following his departure from AS Real Bamako.
Panthère Sportive du Ndé Takes an Early Lead
Playing at home, Panthère Sportive du Ndé started strongly, putting pressure on the Rayon Sports defence and eventually taking the lead in the 13th minute.
Valentin Beo Batto opened the scoring with a header from a corner delivered by Cho Maxwell Mbuyan, finishing from a difficult position to give the Cameroonian side a 1-0 advantage.
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Rayon Sports Pushes for an Equaliser
Rayon Sports came close to equalising during three minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Iradukunda Elie Tatou saw his freekick saved by Panthère Sportive du Ndé goalkeeper Nomo Onguene. Gloire Ngongo Tambwe then attempted to follow up, but his effort only resulted in a corner.
Rayon Sports recorded four shots on target in the first half, compared with seven for Panthère Sportive du Ndé. The hosts also won four corners, while Rayon Sports had two.
Haringingo Makes a Midfield Change
At the beginning of the second half, Rayon Sports head coach Haringingo Francis Christian made a substitution, bringing on Ibrahim Mansour Djingarey for Nisingizwe Christian.
The change helped strengthen Rayon Sports’ midfield, where the Rwandan side had struggled during the first half.
Rayon Sports began moving forward more frequently and winning additional corners as the visitors increased pressure on the Cameroonian side.
More Substitutions Change the Game
In the 71st minute, Rayon Sports made two further substitutions, bringing on Muhoza Daniel and Tuyizere Mubaraka for Atisso Kossivi Antonio Kodjo and Iradukunda Elie Tatou. The changes soon produced results as Rayon Sports intensified its attacking efforts.
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Junior Kameni Levels the Score
In the 80th minute, Muhoza Daniel unleashed a powerful shot that goalkeeper Nomo Onguene managed to save.
However, Rayon Sports striker Junior Kameni was in the right position to follow up and tap the rebound into the net, bringing the score to 1-1.
The equaliser gave Rayon Sports renewed confidence as the visitors looked for a possible winning goal.
Rayon Sports Finishes Strongly
Rayon Sports made six attacking incursions into the penalty area during the second half, with three producing powerful shots that tested the Panthère goalkeeper.
The Rwandan side, however, committed more fouls than the hosts, recording 16 compared with seven by Panthère Sportive du Ndé.
Despite further efforts from both teams, neither side managed to find a winning goal.
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Second Leg Set for Kigali
The match ended Panthère Sportive du Ndé 1-1 Rayon Sports, giving the Rwandan club an important away point ahead of the return leg.
The second leg will be played in Kigali on September 12, 2026, where Rayon Sports will look to use home advantage to secure qualification to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
