[PHOTOS]: Rayon Sports crash out of Peace Cup

Espoir FC have reached their first ever Peace Cup final after eliminating holders Rayon Sports on a 2-1 aggregate score. The Rusizi-based side lost 1-0 to the blues in the second leg of their semifinal fixture on Wednesday at Stade the Kigali but progressed thanks to their 2-0 first-leg home victoryon Sunday.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Peter Kamasa

Jimmy Ndizeye, Espoir FC head coach seen here celebrates with his players after shocking Rayon Sports (All photos by Sam Ngendahimana)

Thursday

Peace Cup semi-finals

APR Vs Amagaju 3:30pm

Wednesday

Rayon Sports 1-0 Espoir (1-2)

Espoir FC have reached their first ever Peace Cup final after eliminating holders Rayon Sports on a 2-1 aggregate score.

The Rusizi-based side lost 1-0 to the blues in the second leg of their semifinal fixture on Wednesday at Stade the Kigali but progressed thanks to their 2-0 first-leg home victoryon Sunday.

The defeat for Rayon ended their bid for a domestic double having won this season’s league.

It also means that Police FC, who finished second to Rayon in the Azam Rwanda Premier League, will miss out on continental football next season because they would have represented the country in the CAF Confederations Cup had Rayon Sports gone on to retain the Cup title.

Espoir will play in the Peace Cup final on July 4 against either APR or Amagaju, with the two teams due to play their semifinal second-leg in Kigali today. The teams played out a 1-all draw in the first leg at Nyagisenyi ground in Nyamagabe on Monday.

Mutsinzi (centre) finds the net to put the hosts ahead but his goal was not enough to overcome a determined Espoir FC.

In yesterday’s match, Rayon’s goal came through defender Ange Mutsinzi in the 17th minute from a Djabel Manishimwe corner.

Rayon Sports dominated possession in large parts of the game and pressed hard to extend their lead but Espoir stood firm.

In today’s other semifinal tie, Amagaju FC will miss the services of their captain Yumba Kayite, who was red-carded in the first leg over elbowing APR FC’s forward Innocent Nshuti.

Rayon Sports head coach Djuma Masudi passionately barks instructions from the touchline but his efforts did little to undo the 2-0 defeat from the first leg.

Espoir head coach Jimmy Ndizeye issues instructions to his players during the match, which they lost but progressed to the final nonetheless.

Espoir players celebrate with their fans after reaching the Peace Cup final for the first time in their history.

Espoir's defender Jacques Wilondja vies for the ball with Rayon's Shassir Nahimana at Stade de Kigali Stadium yesterday.

Patrick Isingizwe, the Espoir goalkeeper, makes a save leaving Rayon players frustrated.

Rayon Sports players and coaching staff look dejected on the bench as the visitors defended their first-leg win to reach the final.

Rayon Sports' midfielder Kevin Muhire (R) tries to dribble past Espoir's defender Hatungimana at Stade de Kigali in the 1-0 victory for the Blues.

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