KIGALI, Aug. 8 — Rwanda’s Rayon Sports defeated Kenya’s Gor Mahia 2-1 in extra time in a dramatic final at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday night, ending the team’s 28-year wait for the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Kagame Cup regional championship.
The match was decided in extra time when Daniel Muhoza struck the winning goal following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. This year’s regional tournament features 12 teams from nine countries and regions.
Rayon Sports remained unbeaten from the group stage through to the final. In the final match, it showed confidence from the start and eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.
Emmanuel Nshimiyimana delivered a cross in the box which was converted by Junior Kameni for 1-0 in favor of Rayon Sports.
Rayon Sports netted a second goal two minutes from halftime, but it was ruled out, giving the Kenyan team a bit of relief. After the break, Gor Mahia returned with greater confidence, and it bore fruit when Shariff Sabuni Sirengo unleashed a low shot into the bottom left corner to level the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
Rayon Sports found the decisive moment just six minutes into extra time through Daniel Muhoza, who had been introduced from the bench.
Rayon Sports was reduced to 10 men after a late red card in extra time, maintained composure to protect the victory on home soil.
The win gave Rayon Sports its second CECAFA regional championship, 28 years after they secured their first victory in 1998. The Kenyan team last lifted the trophy in 1985, but their hope to end the 41-year drought in Kigali was frustrated.
In the third-place play-off, Sudan’s Al Hilal defeated South Sudan’s Jamus SC 2-1 to claim the bronze medal. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
