Vital’O edge Rayon Sports for final spot

Semi-final, YesterdayVital’O 1-0 Rayon Sports Final, MondayAPR vs Vital’O AL FASHER - Burundian champions Vital’O set up a Cecafa Kagame Club Championship final against APR FC after edging out Rayon Sports 1-0 in the semi-final match played yesterday at Al Fasher stadium, North Darfur. Celestin Habonimana scored a powerful header from D’amour Nkurunziza’s free kick in 74th minute to send the Burundian champions to their first ever regional club championships final. The goal proved decisive, after an unimpressive Rayon Sports slowly grew into the game in the first half but Fuadi Ndayisenga, Cedric Amissi and Salita Kambale had their attempts go agonizingly wide. Rayon Sports, who surprisingly played a disjointed game, wasted three opportunities in the first half when Ndayisenga’s powerful shot was saved by Methode Bipfusuba on the half hour mark. Tournament joint top scorer with five goals, Amissi also failed to beat Bipfubusa when he dribbled past Michel Girukwishaka, only to see his effort come off the post. Tambwe Amissi and Celestin Habonimana put Rayon Sports defenders on their toes throughout. After recess, Vital’O, who had managed to out-maneuver Rayon Sports’ midfield, missed a second half penalty after Abouba Sibomana fouled Tambwe in the goal area. Tambwe, who has scored five goals, blasted the resulting spot kick in 70th minute over the crossbar. Substitute Jean Marie Girukwishaka had his effort his attempt denied by the goal post after he beat off Faustin Usegimana’s challenge two minutes later. However, just four minutes later, Habonimana rose highest and directed a powerful header past goalkeeper Gerard Bikorimana for what proved to be the winning goal for Vital’O, managed by former Rayon Sports coach Gilbert ‘Yaounde’ Kanyankore, who is wanted by Primus league side SC Kiyovu to be their next coach. Rayon French coach Didier Gomez da Rosa brought on Jean Bosco Harolimana for the injured Donatien Tuyizere and Yves Kwizera for Gad Niyonshuti but it brought no effect as the Burundian side controlled the midfield. Four minutes to the end, Rayon Sport were denied an equalizer when Ndayisenga struck a powerful shot against the crossbar and it summed up their miserable day when nothing appeared to go their way. The defeat means the Rwandan league champions will not be able to repeat the 1998 history when they beat Mlandege 2-1 to win their maiden regional club title in Zanzibar. Vital’O will now meet three-time winners APR in the final on Monday, while Rayon Sports will take on hosts El Merreikh Al Fasher in the third place playoff. APR knocked out hosts, El Merreikh in a penalty shoot-out on Friday.