A late Ezzeddine Maryami header denied Rayon Sports victory on Sunday, September 24, as both sides played out a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup second round first leg the at Kigali Pele Stadium.
The game was delayed for 17 minutes after Al Hilal Benghazi claimed that Rayon Sports exceeded that number of supporters accredited to watch the encounter.
Some fans had to leave the stadium and only 25 were allowed to follow the match as earlier agreed.
Though the game was played in Kigali, it was technically the home ground for Al Hilal Benghazi but it didn’t stop Rayon Rayon Sports from starting the game as the dominant despite failing playing without their own fans.
The teams got off to a nervy start in the crunch encounter which looked balanced at both ends.
Away side Rayon Sports started exerting their influence in the game with some quality display. They had the first chance in the 10th minute through Heritier Luvumbu who was set up by Kalisa Rashid, but his delivery went off target to the relief of goalkeeper Khalid Almsmari.
Rayon goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana hobbled off early in the match after picking up an injury in the 16th minute to make way for Hategikimana Bonheur who also had an impressive evening between to posts.
Hakizimana faced his first litmus test in the 20th minute as Al Hilal launched an attack through Kelvin Eze, the shot stopper curtailed the danger and was able to push his men forward.
Rayon threatened with two dangerous attacks. First, it was Luvumbu who turned and shot wide after a superb pass from Kalisa in the 24th minute.
Three minute later, the Congolese started a counter attack and found Isaac Mitima who had burst forward through the middle. He had Ojera at his disposal to lay the ball to him to finish the move but he went for personal glory and wasted the ball to the teammates’ dismay
It was Rayon in firm control as they launched series of attacks in the Al Hilal Benghazi vital area.
The Blues had a free kick around the Al Hilal Benghazi’s penalty box in the 45th minute after Ojera was brought down. Kalisa stepped up and curled a spectacular free kick which missed the post by inches. The referee blew the half time whistle as both teams went for the break level at 0-0.
Back in the second half, Yamen Zelfani’s side took control of the game again with some good interposition play as they drew the home side out of their shells.
Ally Serumogo made an overlapping run with the ball before finding Heritier Luvumbu, he in turn laid it to the path of Rashid Kalisa whose 30-yard drive hit the woodwork.
But the Blues’ incessant pressure paid dividends in the 54th minute as Musa Esenu’s strike hit the hand of Bashir El Karami. The referee whistled for a penalty for handball and Heritier Luvumbu stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Rayon a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute.
Burundian midfielder Emmanuel Mvuyekure, who sat in front of the Rayon back four doing all the dirty work and starting up play, located Luvumbu with a sublime pass in the 62nd minute. The Congolese star’s shot hit the side of the net.
Zelfani again sweat over goalkeeper Bonheur Hategikimana’s fitness after he went down injured in the 78th minute but he resumed playing after the medical team attended to him.
Against the run of play, Ezzeddine Maryami netted the equalizer for Al Hilal Benghazi as he headed home a cross from the right wing to level the scores in the 84th minute.
The final six minutes of the game saw both teams defending gallantly so as not to concede again as the game ended 1-1.
Al Hilal Benghazi will stay in Kigali for about a week as they wait for the return leg encounter which will take place at Kigali Pele Stadium on September 30, this time with fans.
