RDF officers chat about the game, after the Republican Guard team beat Special Operation Forces 2-1 to win the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 title at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
The Republican Guard (RG) team retained their title for the second time in a row after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on Tuesday, January 31.
Attended by Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira and Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura and other senior RDF officers, the final match attracted thousands of spectators.
The Republican Guard team dominated the first half of the final in which Jean Claude Mutabazi, the attacking midfielder, opened the scoring after just 10 minutes before striker Theoneste Bizimana doubled the lead in the 38th minute to go to the halftime break with a 2-0 advantage.
SOF hoped to do a comeback in the second half after making some changes.
Jean Baptiste Musengo pulled one back in the 50th minute to restore their chances of forcing an equalizer but RG’s men, with morale-boosting songs from their fellows in the stands, resisted until the last minute and went on to clinch the title.
Olivier Mugwiza, The New Times photographer took different pictures of the game and brought the highlights.
Team captains and referees pose for a photo before the game at Bugesera Stadium
Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi flanked with other senior officers greet players before starting the game
Republican Guard player Theoneste Bizimana dribbles past SOF defenders during the first half.
Republican Guard's striker Pierre Ndagijimana in action during the match. The RDF Inter Force games final took place at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
Goalkeeper Diogene Hakizimana in action trying to save his goalie.
Goalkeeper Diogene Hakizimana in action, looks back in the nets as he failed to save his goalie in a tightly-contested final on Tuesday, January 31,
RG attacking midfielder Jean Claude Mutabazi scored the first goal in the 10 minutes of the game
Two supporters of RG team look so surprised as their team scored the first goal
RG attacking midfielder Jean Claude Mutabazi in a celebration of the goal to take during the game that his side win by 2-1 against Special Operation Forces team in Bugesera
RG players celebrate the first goal that was scored by midfielder Jean Claude Mutabazi in the 10 minutes
Republican Guard (RG) Unit FC on Tuesday, January 31, beat Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in a tightly-contested final. Seen here celebrating the first goal.
Republican guard supporters with morale-boosting songs, cheer on their players after scoring the first goal.
General James Kabarebe, Senior Presidential Advisor on security was among senior RDF officers who attended the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
SOF goalkeeper Diogene Hakizimana with the ball during the match on Tuesday, January 31,
One of the supporters of RG team with a Vuvuzela, backing his team that won the game with a 2-1 crucial win over Special Operation Forces (SOF) in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
The game was a bit tough as each team wants to win the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
Medics help a player during the game. The game was a bit tough as each team wants to win the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura attended the final game at Bugesera Stadium
Players battle for the ball during the game of which RG team won to retain the RDF Inter Force games title for the second time in a row.
Special Operation Forces stopper Diogene Hakizimana tactically tries to stop RG striker during the game.
Republican Guard player Theoneste Bizimana dribbles past SOF defenders during the first half.
Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira watching the game.
Thousands of football lovers watching the final game at Bugesera Stadium.
RG striker Theoneste Bizimana netted the second goal in the 38th minute. Captured here, the Special Operation Forces goalkeeper Diogene Hakizimana tries to save his goalie.
Second Lieutenant Ian Kagame watching the game at Bugesera Stadium. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
RG players celebrate the second goal during the match. The last time the pair met in a similar competition was in 2019 when RGuard beat SOF 4-2 in the final.
Special Operation Forces (SOF) coach talks to the goalkeeper Diogene Hakizimana who seems to be disappointed after the second goal of RG team that enabled them to win the RDF Inter Force games title for the second time in a row.
The final game of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 took place at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. Many football supporters turn up for the match. All Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Players celebrate the second goal that enabled the Republican guard's side to retain the RDF Inter Force games title for the second time in a row.
Pierre Ndagijimana, RG striker thanks the supporters during the game
Players celebrate the second goal that enabled the Republican guard's side to retain the RDF Inter Force games title for the second time in a row.
Pierre Ndagijimana, RG striker with the ball, talks to his teammate during the game after celebrating the first goal
Republican Guard supporters cheer on players as their side scored the second ball. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
The final game of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 took place at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
Special Operation Forces striker controls the ball in the second half ,tries to go past RG defenders during the match.
The RDF Inter Force games final took place at Bugesera Stadium on January 31.
Special Operation Forces (SOF) striker tries a header as RG goalkeeper jumps for a save during the second half
Second Lieutenant Ian Kagame chats with other officers as they watch the game. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
Special Operation Forces (SOF)' s Jean Baptiste Musengo with the ball as pulled one back in the 50th minute to restore their chances of forcing an equalizer
Players of both teams vie for the ball in the second half.
RG winger wins the ball against SOF defender. The Republican Guard dominated the first half of the final which attracted thousands of football lovers.
RDF Inter Force games concluded on Tuesday, at Bugesera Stadium
RG retain the RDF Inter Force games title for the second time in a row.
RG head coach and his assistant with the striker Pierre Ndagijimana celebrate the victory after stunning SOF 2-1 to win the title.
RG players cheer on their supporters after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31
Republican Guard players celebrate a 2-1 crucial victory at Bugesera Stadium
Republican Guard head coach is lifted up by fans after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. All Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Republican Guard lift the goal scorer to celebrate the victory after beating Special Forces 2-1 to retain the football title in inter-force games of the Rwanda Defence Force.
Republican Guard head coach is lifted up by fans after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
Republican Guard fans celebrate after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31
Republican Guard celebrate a victory after beating Special Forces 2-1 to retain the football title in inter-force games of the Rwanda Defence Force.
Republican Guard supporters with morale-boosting songs, celebrate the victory after beating Special Forces 2-1 to retain the football title in inter-force games of the Rwanda Defence Force at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
RDF officers chat about the game, after the Republican Guard team beat Special Operation Forces 2-1 to win the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 title at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza
RG supporters lift up the goal scorer to celebrate the 2-1 win
The final match was attended by senior RDF officers
Special Operation Forces (SOF) won the second position in the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31
Special Operation Forces (SOF) won the second position in the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31
Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira and FERWAFA President Olivier Nizeyimana during the awarding ceremony after the match.
RG head coach receives a medal after helping the team to win the RDF Inter Force games title
Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira and Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura with other senior officers in a group photo with the winners. Republican Guard (RG) FC have retained their title for the second time in a row after beating Special Operation Forces (SOF) 2-1 in the final of the RDF Inter Force Competition 2022-2023 at Bugesera Stadium on January 31. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza