Rayon Sports will face bitter rivals APR FC in the 2023 Peace Cup final on June 3 at Huye Stadium after seeing off Mukura and Kiyovu respectively in the semifinals over the weekend.
The Blues were held by Mukura to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at Kigali Pele Stadium but sailed through on a 4-3 aggregate victory while APR beat Kiyovu Sports 2-1 the following day to book a place in the final on a 3-2 aggregate win.
Times Sport takes a look at five things we learnt from the games.
Kubwimana and Mucyo's defensive masterclass
Rayon Sports right-back Didier Mucyo and Mukura's Cedric Kubwimana are two fantastic players who are just unfortunate not to earn Amavubi call ups.
The pair put up fantastic displays for their respective teams over the weekend. Sadly, they have popped up at the wrong time with APR’s Omborenga Fitina and Kiyovu's Ali Serumogo still going a step in advance.
But, with consistency, they can still catch Ferrer’s attention and, sooner or later, make it in his national team setup.
Onana continues to run the show
The Cameroonian attacker has arguably been the best player in Rwanda this season. He proved his worth again on Saturday with a classic finish as Rayon drew 1-1 with Mukura.
Onana is the fulcrum of Rayon Sports and if he delivers, the team does as well. Much will depend on him if the Blues are to beat APR in the final on June 3.
He is so far the Peace Cup top scorer with six goals in his last six games of the campaign.
APR's wing backs decided the game
Without Clement Niyigena and Prince Buregeya who are out through injuries, APR have not been convincing at the back as they let in many goals this season in the duo’s absence.
However, the army side’s wing backs were lively in the victory over Kiyovu on Sunday.
Omborenga Fitina was a real threat to Kiyovu and left-back Christian Ishimwe was deadly offensively as he assisted Innocent Nshuti's equalizer before scoring the winner in the second half.
Abedi Bigirimana cost Kiyovu
Whatever happened to Abedi Bigirimana within just one season after winning the Rwanda Premier League best player award looks inexplicable.
Within one year, the Burundian attacking midfielder who was firing from all angles in the 2021/22 season has been a pale shadow of himself.
Against APR he missed three glaring chances which could have earned his side a win.
Defense will define the champions
Rayon and APR have been excellent in midfield and in attack but their defense has been shaky.
Both teams have let in many goals in their Peace Cup campaign and they must try and fix their back lines before the final.
Goalkeeper Bonheur Hakizimana may have been slapped a one-match suspension over criticizing Abdul Rwatubyaye’s defensive errors on the pitch but he was right to say that the defender has made Rayon concede goals on different occasions.
APR will, on the other hand, be hoping that Clement Niyigena and Prince Buregeya recover early for the final as they badly need their services in the heart of defense.