A Sudanese player joins efforts to restrain a teammate as tempers boiled over. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
A friendly match between Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars and their Sudanese counterparts at Kigali Stadium on Saturday descended into chaos on the stroke of full-time, forcing security personnel to enter the pitch to calm the situation.
All was well until virtually the last kick of the game when Rwanda international Muhadjiri Hakizimana was fouled near the touchline, drawing an angry reaction from the talented midfielder.
Hakizimana did not take it lightly, quickly turning into a kickboxer, a reaction which immediately drew in both sets of players and briefly turned the pitch into a scene of punches, kicks and chases.
By then centre referee Jean Claude Ishimwe had blown the final whistle and he and his assistants were struggling to contain the situation when police officers arrived.
The situation was soon brought under control, but some players disappeared back in their dressing room still seething with rage.
While some players did not help matters, others turned into peacemakers, separating their colleagues and helping end the ugly scenes.
It was the second friendly game between the two sides in one week as they both gear up for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
With the first game having ended in a goalless draw on Thursday, Amavubi won the second 1-0 thanks to a Gerard Gohou strike.
In the hours following the ugly scenes at the Kigali Stadium, Ferwafa, Rwanda’s football governing body, released a statement apologising to Sudan over what it called an "unsportsmanlike behaviour" by Hakizimana.
It promised to further look into the matter and act accordingly.
The midfielder has also since apologised, releasing a statement the same evening that read in part, "I am terribly sorry for my aggressive reactions shown in the end of our win over Sudan this Saturday.
"I reacted wrongly against my opponent as he played badly towards me. I therefore apologize to all Rwandans, Sudan players and especially young generations that it will never be again."
The New Times&039; Olivier Mugwiza was at the game and captured the scenes.
A Sudanese player joins efforts to restrain a teammate as tempers boiled over. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
The friendly game ended in chaotic scenes.
The two sets of players had to be separated at the end of the friendly game.
Rwanda’s attacking midfielder Rafael York is escorted off the pitch as the game ended in chaotic scenes.
Police officers after helping bring the situation under control.
Security personnel had to escort players at the end of the encounter at Kigali Stadium. Courtesy.
A Sudanese player is escorted off the pitch at the end of the game.
A Sudanese player joins efforts to restrain a teammate as tempers boiled over. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Some of the Sudanese players were seen trying to calm the situation.
The game descended into ugly scenes at full-time.
Both Rwanda FA and Muhadjiri Hakizimana have since apologised for the events.
Police officers on duty at Kigali Stadium.
The game descended into ugly scenes at full-time.
Centre referee Jean Claude Ishimwe tries to calm the situation as security personnel enter the pitch at the end of the friendly game.
This was the second friendly match between the two sides in three days.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: The game descended into chaotic scenes late on.
Sudan Head Coach Burhan Tia on the touchline before the game turned ugly.
A Sudanese player is stretchered off the pitch during the first half.
Centre referee Jean-Claude Ishimwe cautions Amavubi's Arsene Tuyisenge during the game.
Renowned fan Rwarutabura leads Amavubi supporters at the stadium.
Gerard Gohou controls the ball before putting Amavubi ahead.
Amavubi's Gerard Gohou finds the back of the net, which helped Carlos Alos Ferrer, Amavubi's head coach, to get his first victory with the national team.
The 1-0 win is the only victory that Amavubi have mustered since Spanish tactician Carlos Alos Ferrer took charge in March.
Goalscorer Gerard Gohou celebrates after netting the winner for Amavubi at Kigali Stadium on Saturday, November 19.
Amavubi forward Gerard Gohou (#11) is joined by his teammates to celebrate his strike early on at Kigali Stadium.
This was the second friendly match between the two sides in three days.
Proceedings before the game turned ugly.
An assistant referee on duty during the second half.
Both teams are gearing up for the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Kigali Stadium.
Rwanda’s attacking midfielder Rafael York wins the ball during the encounter.
Amavubi head coach Carlos Alos Ferrer on the touch line.
Amavubi goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari leaps as the team returns to the pitch for the second half on Saturday.
Sudan's starting XI sing their national anthem before kick-off.
Amavubi observe the national anthem before kick-off.