KHARTOUM - Rwanda’s representative at this year’s Cecafa/Kagame Cup Atraco FC beat home side El Merreikh 1-0 last night at the El Merreikh stadium to become the 2009 Kagame cup champions. Hamis Kitagenda was the hero of the night, scoring the sole goal in the 15th minute thanks to a clever pass from former international Andre Lomami. Kitagenda who finished the tournament with four goals released a hard shot from outside the box to beat El Merreikh custodian Mohamed Kamal. Cheered on by Sports Minister Joseph Habineza, the taximen defended in numbers and held the home side at bay.
KHARTOUM - Rwanda’s representative at this year’s Cecafa/Kagame Cup Atraco FC beat home side El Merreikh 1-0 last night at the El Merreikh stadium to become the 2009 Kagame cup champions.
Hamis Kitagenda was the hero of the night, scoring the sole goal in the 15th minute thanks to a clever pass from former international Andre Lomami.
Kitagenda who finished the tournament with four goals released a hard shot from outside the box to beat El Merreikh custodian Mohamed Kamal.
Cheered on by Sports Minister Joseph Habineza, the taximen defended in numbers and held the home side at bay.
Atraco have Goalkeeper Eric Ndayishime to thank as the Amavubi star kept the national league champions in the game.
Habineza was all smiles as he stood on the podium with other guests to award the trophy and medal. "This is a sweet win for Rwanda,” said the Minister who arrived in Khartoum on Saturday night.
Atraco bagged US$50,000 and the trophy, while El Merreikh took US$30,000 and the third placed TP Mazembe of DRCongo US$20,000.
It was a case of team work that saw Atraco become the third Rwanda team to win the Kagame Cup after Rayon Sport and APR.
Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and his Sudanese counterpart Nafih Ali Nafih also attended the game.
It was Atraco coach, Sam Timbe’s third Kagame Club Championship trophy after winning it with Ugandan sides SC Villa (2005) and Police FC (2006).
After beating tournament favourites KCC FC in the quarter finals and leaving it late in their 2-1 semi-final win against Mathare United, Atraco had come against an El Merreikh side that had kept a 100 percent record and was backed by over 35,000 fans in the stadium.
Atraco’s leading scorers at the tournament Hamis Kitagenda, Eric Ndayishime, Andrew Lomami, Alimansi Kadogo and Aloua Gaseruka have been outstanding for Atraco.
Meanwhile, in the play-off game played earlier guest side TP Mazembe beat Kenya’s Matahre United 2-0 to win bronze and bag the US$20,000 at stake.
Mkulukuta Miala and Kaliyutuka Dioko scored for the TP Mazembe side who are also in the group stage of the lucrative MTN Champions League.
Ends