Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rayon Sports head coach Afahmia Lotfi has said he was impressed with the progress the team has made two weeks into their pre-season training ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Speaking after Friday’s training session at the Skol Stadium—Lotfi expressed satisfaction with how quickly the players are adapting.
“It’s been two weeks since we began preparations. The intensity is improving day by day. We started slowly, but now most of the players have joined group. We are about to begin full training at 100 percent,” said Lotfi.
While acknowledging that a few key players are yet to join, the Tunisian coach revealed that the club is finalizing deals for two more foreign players and two Rwandans to complete the squad.
“We are still negotiating with some players. We want to bring in two more foreign players and two locals to strengthen the squad. The focus is on adding players who will make a real difference this season,” he explained.
Lotfi also spoke on the club’s transfer strategy, stating that the recruitment process was guided by a technical assessment of last season’s weaknesses.
“We approached the transfer market with a clear focus on what the team lacked last year. I worked closely with the committee and technical staff to identify the areas of improvement. I’m confident we’ve brought in quality players who will contribute significantly.”
The former Olympique Béja boss added that while some new players like Ryan are still undergoing trials, final decisions will be made after observing them in friendly matches rather than just in training sessions.
“Training alone doesn’t tell the full story. Some players perform well in training but fail to deliver during matches. I prefer to evaluate them in real game situations before making any decisions.”
Rayon Sports will hold an internal friendly match on Saturday and is planning to play two or three more matches—including at least one international fixture—before facing APR in the Super Cup.
Lotfi also addressed the goalkeeper situation, revealing how new Ivorian signing Draissa Kouyate emerged top among 15 options they evaluated.
“We shortlisted 15 goalkeepers and narrowed it down to three. Draissa stood out with his experience, having played for top clubs and his national team. We believe he will be a key player for us this season.”
Regarding the assistant coach issue that previously delayed progress, Lotfi confirmed that the matter has been resolved.
“We held discussions with the management and everything has been sorted. The assistant coach has worked in Tunisia’s top flight and brings the experience needed to support me and the team. The licensing issue is behind us.”
Lotfi also highlighted the potential of new signings such as Bingi Belo, Cheri, and Mohamed, expressing confidence in their ability to fit into his system and elevate the team’s performance.
“We didn’t sign players just because they are popular. We evaluated their technical quality and how they fit our playing style. Bingi Belo is a promising striker, while Cheri and Mohamed have what it takes to boost the team. We believe they will shine.”
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