Rayon Sports Women’s Football Club revived its hopes of reaching the next stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers after beating Denden FC 3-0 on Sunday.
The Rwandan champions needed a response after opening their Group A campaign with a goalless draw against Mafunzo SC, and they delivered at Kigali Pele Stadium with a comfortable victory.
Regine Ihirwe, Jeanette Ukwinkunda and Ishimwe Mozero Evelyne scored the goals that gave Rayon Sports its first win of the competition and lifted its tally to four points.
The result also kept Rayon Sports within reach of group leaders Yei Joints Stars FC of South Sudan, who moved to six points after beating Mafunzo SC 1-0 in Sunday’s earlier match.
Yei Joints Stars had started the competition with a 3-0 victory over Denden FC, meaning they have now scored four goals without conceding in their opening two matches.
For Rayon Sports, Sunday’s victory was particularly important after the team failed to find the net against Mafunzo in its first outing.
The Rwandan side will now look to the remaining group matches knowing that another positive result could strengthen its chances of advancing from the qualifiers.
The tournament continues Monday at Kigali Pele Stadium, where Kenya P.B FC will face Simba Queens at 1 p.m., followed by Kawempe Muslim Ladies’ match against Ethiopia’s CBE at 4 p.m.
The CECAFA qualifiers will determine the region’s representative in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
