Inter Force competition: Republican Guard beat Special Forces to retain title
Friday, February 01, 2019
Republican Guard players celebrate their victory, with medals and trophy, after beating Special Forces to win the 2018-19 Inter Force football competition at Kigali Stadium on Thursday. Sam Ngendahimana.

Thursday

Final

Republican Guard 4-2 Special Force

Republican Guard Unit were on Thursday crowned the 2019 Inter Force Football Competition winners after beating Special Operations Forces 4-2 on penalties at Kigali Stadium.

The game had ended 2-2 in regular time.

Striker Theoneste Bizimana put the Republic Guard ahead in the 12th minute before left-back Olivier Niyonkuru doubled the lead in the 22nd minute to hand them a 2-0 first-half edge.

However, Special Operations Forces cancelled the lead through Desire Matabaro and Damascene Bavugubusa late in the second half to force penalty shootouts.

The Minister for Defence, Albert Murasira, the Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, General Patrick Nyamvumba, and all service chiefs attended the entertaining final match between the two army units.

In his remarks, Murasira emphasised the importance of the competition, saying that it aims at enhancing physical and mental fitness, cohesion, comradeship, discipline and morale among members of the RDF.

The 2018/2019 RDF Inter Force Competitions started on November 3, and comprised seven different disciplines; shooting, football, basketball, volleyball, handball, netball and athletics.

Rwanda Air Force (RAF) claimed the title in basketball, Special Operations Forces clinched the handball trophy, RDF General Headquarters were the winners in netball, Rwanda Military Academy scooped the volleyball title while, Nasho Basic Military Training Centre won the shooting competition.

Minister Murasira further noted that, "The competitions are also meant to identify sports talents within RDF.”

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