A second half strike from Ghanaian defender Stephen Bonney proved decisive as Bugesera FC again stunned Rayon Sports 1-0 Tuesday’s crunch Peace Cup semi-final second leg clash held at the Bugesera Stadium.
The Nyamata based club had won the first leg in Kigali by the same goal margin and have thus progressed to the final on a 2-0 aggregate victory which definitely ended Blues’ hopes of playing the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Julien Mette made several changes to his team that lost the first leg with Eric Ngendahimana being deployed in central defense alongside Aimable Nsabimana while Isaac Mitima stayed on the bench.
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Ali Serumogo and Didier Mucyo were also handed starting roles with the former playing as a right winger whereas the latter was used as a right back.
Meanwhile, Bugesera FC head coach Francis Harigingo stuck with his usual arsenals with the likes of Stephen Bonney, Faruk Ssentongo, Olivier Dushimimana and Elijah Ani all in the fray.
Both teams started the game brightly but it was Rayon who exhibited urgency in their system as playmaker Kevin Muhire controlled the midfield.
Charles Bbaale and Arsene Tuyisenge each squandered a host of chances as the Blues failed to translate their dominance into goals. Despite the pressing, Bugesera remained resilient throughout the first half as both teams headed into halftime tied on a goalless draw.
Frustration drew around the coach, players and fans from the stands alike as the visitors failed to break the deadlock.
After recess, Bugesera FC changed their tactics as centre back Stephen Bonney was now seen more on the left side of defense.
The Ghanaian started moving forward as Didier Mucyo and Ali Serumogo failed to deal with him. He captitalized on the pair’s defensive holes and broke the deadlock in the 51st minute as he hit a harmless shot from the left side of the attack which Khadime Ndiaye failed to stop.
After doubling their advantage, Haringingo, who won the Peace Cup with the Blues last season, moved more men forward as he looked to increase the tally.
The home side was caught unaware through a quick counter attack in the 67th minute but Bbaale thwarted Atrsene Tuyisenge’s cross, blowing his effort off target to the dismay of traveling fans.
Rayon came into the game strongly and pushed for the equalizer but the Bonney-inspired defenders were resolute as they held their might at the back with extraordinary defensive displays.
Substitute Rharb Youssef beautifully set up Didier Mucyo at the edge of the Bugesera penalty box in the 81st minute but his shot hit the side net to the relief of the home fans.
Mette, looking frustrated from the touchline, brought on Hakim Bugingo and Pascal Iradukunda for Didier Mucyo and Roger Kanamugire in the 85th minute but it yielded no dividends as Bugesera held on to record a famous double win over Rayon Sports to book their berth in what will be the first Peace Cup final in club’s history after winning the tie on a 2-0 aggregate.
Haringingo’s side will face Police FC who completed a semifinal comeback against Gasogi United to qualify final through penalties.
Police FC needed a 64th minute goal from striker Didier Mugisha to win 1-0 against Gasogi in the second leg. With the pair tied at 1-1 on aggregate, the game went into penalty shootouts which ended 4-3 in favor of the security service club.