Bugesera FC coach Francis Haringingo is optimistic about clinching the team's first major trophy by winning this year’s Peace Cup.

The team finds itself in a favourable position after securing a 1-0 victory against Rayon Sports in the first leg of the semi-finals, which took place on April 17. The return leg is scheduled for April 24 at Bugesera Stadium.

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In an interview with Times Sport, Haringingo acknowledged the challenge of the upcoming rematch but expressed his serious intent to secure victory and advance to the final.

"We have to forget the game we won and refocus on the next games in both the league and the Peace Cup. We want to maintain the winning spirit. We need to win every game ahead of us,” he said.

Should Bugesera successfully eliminate Rayon Sports and advance to the Peace Cup finals, it won't be the first time they have overcome them in a knockout stage of the competition. They previously achieved such a feat in 2013 during the round of 16 when Bugesera was competing in the second division.

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Haringingo boasts formidable experience in the Peace Cup, having secured the title twice previously with Rayon Sports in 2023 and Mukura Victory Sports in 2019.

A victory with Bugesera this year would see him equal the record held by Andre Cassa Mbungo, the only coach to have won three Peace Cup titles.

In a separate interview with The New Times, Bugesera’s assistant captain Vincent Adams assured fans of the team's determination to emerge victorious in the return leg against Rayon, as he called for focus from the team.

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"We need to be focused because if we don’t, Rayon Sports may punish us. We are confident that we can beat them again in the second leg. They are a good side, so we need to be mentally and physically ready," he noted.

The winner of the Peace Cup will earn the opportunity to represent Rwanda at the CAF Confederation Cup.