Gatsibo Football Academy, the Airtel Reigning Stars (ARS) reigning champions in the boys’ category are optimistic on retaining the title they won last year in Rubavu district.
Selected results
Sunday
Boys
Gatsibo 1-1 Kayonza (pen 5-4)
Girls
Abarashi2-0 Agahozo
Gatsibo Football Academy, the Airtel Reigning Stars (ARS) reigning champions in the boys’ category are optimistic on retaining the title they won last year in Rubavu district.
The academy head coach Jean de Dieu Ntirenganya told Times Sport after his side beat rival Kayonza 5-4 in shoot-outs following a 1-all draw in regular time in the final of Eastern Province zone on Sunday at Gatsibo grounds to qualify for semi-finals at the national level.
The home team, Gatsibo, took the lead in the 34th minute through Benjamin Hakizimana but Kayonza equalised 30 seconds from a David Ishimwe goal.
"We have got talents here. We have five weeks to prepare for semi-finals, we are going to keep training regularly because our target is to retain the title,” Ntirenganya said.
Gatsibo reached the final after beating Kirehe in semi-finals while Kayonza saw off Rwamagana in the last four round.
In girls’ competition, it was another moment for celebrations for local residents as Gatsibo-based Abarashi beat Agahozo of Rwamagana 2-0 to claim the title. Delphine Umubyeyi and Grace Muhoza scored the goals for Abarashi in either half.
Sixteen teams in total (12 boys’ and 4 girls’) played against each other over the weekend fighting for a single slot available in boys’ and girls’ category.
The annual youth football Airtel Rising Stars U-17 championships was inaugurated in 2013 in Rwanda and it is taking place for its third edition this year. Gatsibo and AS Kigali Academy are defending champions of last year’s tournament.
Gatsibo teams (boys and girls) pocketed Rwf100.000 and a golden trophy while first runners-up Kayonza (boys) and Agahozo (girls) walked away with Rwf80.000 and Rwf70.000 and a silver trophy apiece.