Rayon Sports fans continue to relish the performance of their Brazilian coach, Roberto Oliveira Gonçalves do Carmo. What makes his journey even more remarkable is that he once played for Brazil's national team.
Roberto Oliveira Gonçalves do Carmo, popularly known as Robertinho, is a Brazilian football coach and former professional player born on June 22, 1960, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
During his playing days, Robertinho was a well-known forward who featured prominently for Fluminense and several other top Brazilian clubs, including Flamengo, Palmeiras, Internacional, Sport Recife, and Atlético Mineiro. He also had stints in Europe, playing for Nacional in Portugal and Grössembacher in Switzerland.
In the 1980s, Robertinho stood out as a player with exceptional talent. On September 25, 1980, he earned his first and only cap for the Brazilian national team in a match against Paraguay.
Although
his international career was limited to that one game, it was a significant
milestone that earned him respect in Brazil's football community.
After retiring as a player, Robertinho
transitioned into coaching, starting with Brazilian clubs like Americano and
Fluminense, where he began to showcase his managerial skills.
Robertinho’s coaching journey took him to
Africa, where he first coached Stade Tunisien in Tunisia. He returned to the
same club in 2007 for a second stint. He later coached Rayon Sports in Rwanda,
joining the team in 2018 and returning in 2024 for another tenure.
In 2021, Robertinho became the coach of Gor
Mahia in Kenya. However, his tenure was cut short by CAF due to incomplete
coaching qualifications. He then moved to Uganda to coach Vipers SC, where he
demonstrated his ability to manage competitive teams.
In January 2023, Robertinho was appointed
head coach of Simba SC in Tanzania, one of East Africa's most prestigious
clubs. However, his stint at Simba ended in November 2023, after just 11 months
in charge.
Following his departure from Simba, Robertinho
returned to Rayon Sports. Under his guidance, the team reached the CAF
Confederations Cup group stages and advanced to the quarter-finals—a historic
feat for a Rwandan club.
Since his return, Robertinho has
reinvigorated Rayon Sports, positioning them as title contenders in the Rwandan
Premier League. As of now, Rayon Sports tops the league table with 36 points
from 15 matches, having lost only once.
Clubs Robertinho Played For:
Year |
Club |
Appearances (Goals) |
1978–1982 |
Fluminense |
66 (22) |
1983 |
Flamengo |
22 (5) |
1984 |
Palmeiras |
14 (2) |
1985–1986 |
Flamengo |
- |
1987 |
Internacional |
25 (2) |
1988 |
Sport
Recife |
23 (6) |
1989 |
Atlético
Mineiro |
4 (2) |
1989–1993 |
Nacional |
50 (11) |
1994–1995 |
Grössembacher |
- |
Clubs Robertinho Coached:
Year |
Club |
1995 |
Grössembacher |
1995–1997 |
Rio Branco
(SP) |
1998–1999 |
Brasil de
Pelotas |
1999–2000 |
São Bento |
2000–2002 |
Fluminense |
2003 |
CRB |
2003–2004 |
CSA |
2004 |
America
(RJ) |
2004–2005 |
Rio Branco
(ES) |
2005–2008 |
Stade
Tunisien |
2008–2009 |
Kazma |
2009 |
Al-Shamal |
2009–2010 |
Hammam-Sousse |
2010–2011 |
Legião |
2012–2013 |
Stade
Gabèsien |
2013–2014 |
Grombalia
Sports |
2014–2016 |
ASA |
2018–2019 |
Rayon
Sports |
2020–2021 |
Gor Mahia |
2021–2022 |
Vipers SC |
2023 |
Simba SC |
2024–Present |
Rayon
Sports |
With an illustrious career as both a player
and a coach, Robertinho continues to leave his mark on football, inspiring
Rayon Sports fans with his tactical brilliance and passion for the game.