Lions de Fer were on Saturday, July 22, crowned 2022/23 Rwanda Rugby League champions for the second time in a row, after finishing the campaign unbeaten.

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The Rwanda Rugby league season started on November 19, 2022, after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The league season, which was supposed to conclude on March 11 but later delayed due to unknown circumstances, attracted six teams namely 1000 Hills Rugby Club, Lion de Fer, Kigali Sharks, Kamonyi Puma, Muhanga Thunders and Resilience Rusizi.

Some fans convened at Red Cross ground, Kacyiru, as they joined Lions de Fer in celebrating the title.

It wasn’t the best way to celebrate the silverware, however, as Kigali Sharks spoiled their party after beating them 18-17 during a friendly game.

READ ALSO: Rugby League: Lions de Fer thump Kigali Sharks to maintain unbeaten run

After clinching the title with an unbeaten record, Lions de Fer coach Vincent Kamali said, "Winning this title was not easy, especially finishing unbeaten because every game we played was like a final."

"Words can’t explain how happy I am to win two league titles in a row. The teams we were competing against were strong, but winning the cup means that we were stronger than them."

Kamali is aware that every opponent will be targeting to beat his team next season before warning rivals that his team will come back ready to face anyone.

He said that they have already approached some teams in Uganda to play some friendly games ahead of the team’s preseason tour.

"In this trip, we are planning to play some of the teams that play in the Ugandan league, in order to further put the players through their paces," he said.

Tharcisse Kamanda, the president of Rwanda Rugby Federation, hailed the teams for improving their level if competition during the just-concluded league as he anticipates the better to come next season.

"It was the first time that the teams played the league in the Home and Away format, and it was a success. The format has helped our players get more games and level up their performances,” Kamanda said.

Besides the trophy, champions Lions de Fer received a cheque of Rwf500,000 while first runners-up Thousand Hills walked away with Rwf300,000.

Muhanga Thunders, who finished in the third position, were awarded Rwf200,000.