Former AFC coach Minnaert ready to stop K’Ogalo in Kigali today

Gor Mahia duo of Meddie Kagere (left) and Jaques Tuyisenge celebrate their victory against SuperSports United of South Africa during first leg of CAF Confederations Cup play-offs at Kenyatta Stadioum in Machakos County on On Sunday, April 8, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Gor Mahia forward Meddie Kagere is relishing his return to Rwanda to face his former club Rayon Sports in today’s opening Group D match of the CAF Confederations Cup at Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali.

However, Rayon coach Ivan Minnaert, who is no stranger to Gor Mahia having broken their 35-game unbeaten run when he guided AFC Leopards to a memorable 1-0 derby win in March 2016, has warned the 16-time Kenyan Premier League champions not to expect an easy ride.

The two East African teams will be making their debut in the lucrative group stages of the second tier continental competition after both overcame respective opponents in the two-legged playoffs tie.

The other Group D match today will see North African side USM Alger welcome Tanzania’s Yanga in Algeria.

K’Ogalo eliminated South Africa’s SuperSport United on away goal rule (2-2) as Rayon edged out Mozambican side CD Costa Do Sol 3-2 on aggregate.

And having spent two seasons (2013 and 2014) at Rayon before moving to FK Tirana (Albania), the Ugandan-born striker, who recently completed his Rwanda’s naturalisation process, knows the task ahead.

“Of course it is a great feeling to go back to Rwanda. It’s a game I’m looking forward to. It is a team (Rayon) I know very well and I still have a few friends there. It is going to be a difficult match but we are looking forward to it,” Kagere told The Standard Sports.

“As far as I am concerned there are no underdogs at the group stages. All teams are equal and fought hard to get there. We just need to concentrate and look for our own points. Our fate is in our own hands. The secret of such a competition is to win your matches and avoid depending on other teams’ performances.”

But on the other side, Minnaert is strategically planning on how to break Gor fans’ hearts again as he aims to make a positive start in the tournament.

“The least we want to do is win all our home games, then fight hard for draws in away fixtures. It is exciting having reached this far but we can achieve a lot more if we remain focused and work even harder. All the players are fit and determined,” Minnaert told The New Times.

“We need to work on mental preparedness and more research on our opponents, we will do everything that needs to be done to advance to quarter-finals. It will definitely not come easy, but, it is possible.”

Gor have been boosted by the return of utility player Godfrey Walusimbi, who had fallen out with the club hierarchy seven weeks ago.