Rayon Sports FC have been crowned champions of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 after defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC 2-1 in a thrilling final played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday night. The victory ends a 28-year wait for the Rwandan giants, who last lifted the regional trophy in 1998. It is only their second CECAFA Kagame Cup title. Rayon Sports completed the tournament unbeaten, winning all five of their matches on their way to the title. Kameni puts Rayon Sports ahead Rayon Sports took the lead in the 27th minute through Cameroonian forward Junior Kameni, who reacted quickly to a
Rayon Sports FC have been crowned champions of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 after defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC 2-1 in a thrilling final played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday night. The victory ends a 28-year wait for the Rwandan giants, who last lifted the regional trophy in 1998. It is only their second CECAFA Kagame Cup title. Rayon Sports completed the tournament unbeaten, winning all five of their matches on their way to the title. Kameni puts Rayon Sports ahead Rayon Sports took the lead in the 27th minute through Cameroonian forward Junior Kameni, who reacted quickly to a defensive lapse by Gor Mahia to tap the ball into the net. The Kenyan champions had enjoyed the better of the opening stages, but Rayon Sports punished their opponents when the opportunity presented itself. Rayon Sports thought they had doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute, but the goal was ruled out for handball, with Akbar Museri receiving a booking. Gor Mahia fight back Gor Mahia came out strongly after the break and found the equaliser in the 53rd minute. Shariff Sabuni Sirengo produced a fine finish from outside the box, beating Rayon Sports goalkeeper Dande Junior to bring Gor Mahia level. Both sides pushed for a winner, but neither could find the breakthrough during the remaining minutes of regulation time. With the score tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan added an additional 30 minutes. Muhoza delivers the winning goal Rayon Sports regained the lead in the 97th minute through substitute Daniel Muhoza. The Rwandan side once again capitalised on a defensive mistake by Gor Mahia, with Muhoza making no mistake to put Rayon Sports 2-1 ahead. Gor Mahia pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but Rayon Sports held firm until the final whistle. Rayon Sports 2-1 Gor Mahia FC. Rayon Sports return to the top after 28 years The triumph marks a historic return to regional glory for Rayon Sports, who had waited since 1998 to lift the CECAFA Kagame Cup again. Gor Mahia, meanwhile, were seeking their fourth regional title after previous triumphs in 1980, 1981 and 1985, but their wait for another trophy continues. Rayon Sports head coach Francis Christian Haringingo praised his players for their hard work throughout the competition. «“Winning the regional title after winning all our five matches makes me a very happy coach,” Haringingo said.» Rayon Sports take home US$30,000 The champions also received US$30,000 in prize money, while Gor Mahia collected US$20,000 as runners-up. Sudan's Al Hilal SC finished third after defeating South Sudan's Jamus SC 2-0 in the third-place play-off, earning US$10,000. The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup featured 12 teams from nine countries and marked the tournament's return to Rwanda after seven years. For Rayon Sports, the victory represents more than just another trophy. It ends a 28-year wait, confirms their dominance throughout the tournament and gives their supporters a memorable night at a packed Amahoro Stadium. After 28 years, the CECAFA Kagame Cup is back in the hands of Rayon Sports.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.