Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sports FC are the winners of the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.
Going unbeaten in the tournament Rayon Sports FC defeated Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC 2-1 in a hotly contested final played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday night.
It had taken the Rwandan side 28 years since they last lifted the regional trophy in 1998. Their opponents Gor Mahia FC have lifted the title three times in 1980, 1981 and 1985.
Cheered on by thousands of fans Rayon Sports FC took the lead after 27 minutes with a tap-in by Cameroonian forward Junior Kameni. The Kenyan Premier League champions had dominated play in the first 20 minutes before a defensive lapse gave Kameni chance to pounce and score.
After 43 minutes Rayon Sports FC thought they had increased their lead, but the goal was canceled for a handball and Akbar Muderi carded.
In the second half Shariff Sabuni Sirengo leveled matters for Gor Mahia FC with a well taken shot from outside the box that beat Rayon Sports FC goalkeeper Junior Dande after 53 minutes. The two teams failed to find more goals in the allotted 90 minutes before referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan added an extra 30 minutes.
Substitute Daniel Muhoza capitalized on another defensive blunder by Gor Mahia to score and restore Rayon Sports FC’s lead. It was all celebration after the final whistle. Francis Christian Haringingo, the Rayon Sports FC head coach said he was proud of his team that worked hard to win the title.
“Winning the regional title after winning all our five matches makes me a very happy coach,” added Haringingo.
In an earlier play-off match Al Hilal SC (Sudan) defeated South Sudan’s Jamus SC 2-0 to finish third. The winners picked a cash prize of US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000 and the third placed US$10,000.
