Today

Third placeAS Kigali vs Espoir FC 1:30pm

FinalAPR FC vs Rayon Sports 3:30pm

If Rayon Sports are seeking an opportunity to defy the odds, then today’s battle against archrivals APR FC in Peace Cup final at Amahoro National Stadium is the perfect occasion to send a clear and loud message to their critics. 

The Blues have not won the knockout competition in the last ten years, while the military side have enjoyed Cup final victories for a notable five times in the same period, and will be eager to make it a record six times. 

This is the first time both teams will be meeting in the Peace Cup final since 2010 when APR went on to win 1-0 to take the title. 

That and other more factors make this fixture, an exciting prospect for a thriller of a game, after all there is no love lost between Rwanda’s two biggest football clubs.

Rayon beat AS Kigali 3-2 in their semi-final second leg on Friday at Muhanga Regional Stadium, to advance to the final 4-3 on goal aggregate following a one-all draw in the first leg.

Interim head coach Djuma Masudi is well aware of what happened last year when his side lost the final 1-0 against Police FC. Then, Rayon Sports were under Baptiste Kayiranga as head coach.

Great achievement

"Winning this trophy will be a great achievement; it will be part of the history of Rayon Sports. We are facing a tough team with the same ambition, so we have to be prepared 100 percent,” Masudi told Times Sport.

He added that: "We have a lot of respect for the opponents, but we are not worried because we have already beaten them this season, and my players are in good shape. We must have a game plan to win the final.” 

The two sides have met twice in the league this season, with the first meeting ending in a goalless draw but Rayon Sport ran riot in the second round, thrashing the military side 4-0. 

Meanwhile, APR coach Nizar Khanfir, who goes into the game as favourite, believes his has the necessary tools to deal with huge challenge at hand. 

"We have potential to defeat our rivals” he said, adding that, "Victory means a lot to us much as it does to them. When both sides meet, is always a big showdown, but this one will be even bigger because it’s a title match,” the Tunisian trainer said.

Record eight-time winners APR will be without in-form midfielder Patrick Sibomana but Khanfir is adamant his team have enough quality and depth to deal with any player’s absence. 

Rayon Sports have no worries in terms of injuries or suspensions, and welcome back young midfielder Kevin Muhire, who missed the semi-final second leg against AS Kigali.  

CAF spot at stake

The final will be preceded by the third place playoff clash between AS Kigali and Espoir at 1:30pm. The winner of this year’s Peace Cup will represent Rwanda at the next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

With APR FC favourites to win the league title, the Peace Cup means a lot more to Rayon Sports than the former, who are almost guaranteed to play in the more lucrative CAF Champions League. 

And, if APR win both competitions, then Rayon Sports will be required to finish second in the league to play in the continent next year. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw