Three time regional champions Gor Mahia FC and Rayon Sport FC will clash in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 final on Friday.
The Kenya Premier League reigning champions ejected Al Hilal SC (Sudan), while Rwanda’s Rayon Sport FC saw off Jamus SC (South Sudan) in the semi-final matches played on Tuesday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.
In the first match Steven Ebuela netted an own goal after 34 minutes to give Gor Mahia the lead. But the Sudan giants attacked in numbers sand leveled matters 10 minutes later through Ansumana Samura.
After recess the two teams came all out and created several scoring opportunities, but failed to score. Gor Mahia had Ebenezer Ocran sent off with a second bookable offence. Thirty more minutes were played, but the teams failed to score. Gor Mahia came out top 8-7 on penalty shoot-outs.
Charles Kwablan Akonnor, the Gor Mahia FC coach praised his team for the hard work. “I thank the players for playing their hearts out and winning against a strong Al Hilal team,” added Akonnor.
The second semi-final match watched by a capacity crowd saw Rayon Sport FC dominate play. Akbar Museri gave the Rwanda side the lead after 17 minutes after the Jamus SC defending line was caught off guard.
Joseph Stephen Dhata had a chance to level matters for Jamus SC after 44 minutes, but shot straight at the Rayon Sport FC goalkeeper Dande Junior. In the second half Ibrahim Mansouru Djingarey made it 2-0 for Rayon Sport after 59 minutes as the fans cheered on. But substitute Diallo Bandiougou pulled a goal back for Jamus SC after 70 minutes.
With two minutes to time substitute Gloire Ngongo Tambwe also got his name on the score sheet for Rayon Sport FC to make it 3-1. Harringingo Francis Christian, the Rayon Sport FC head coach made it clear that after going past the semi-final stage, they now want to win the trophy.
“I am happy that we have won all our four matches played in the tournament and this also gives us good preparations ahead of the new season,” added the coach.
The final will be played on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium. The champion will bag US$30,000, while the runner-up takes US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.
