Saturday, May 23

18:00: APR vs Rayon Sports

Venue: Amahoro Stadium

Rwanda’s fiercest football rivalry will once again take center stage as APR FC and Rayon Sports face off in the 2026 Peace Cup final at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday, May 23.

APR FC head into the showdown in high spirits after clinching the 2025/26 BK Pro League title — a record-extending 24th league crown.

Since arriving at the club, Moroccan tactician Taleb Abderrahim has repeatedly stressed his ambition to dominate domestic football, emphasizing the importance of mental, physical, and tactical preparation ahead of the final.

"We want to win the tournament, and the only way to put ourselves in a good position is to prepare well—mentally, physically, and technically,” Taleb said.

APR booked their place in the final with an emphatic 6-2 aggregate victory over Etincelles FC in the semifinals, underlining their attacking quality and confidence heading into the derby.

Can Rayon Sports end APR’s dominance?

Standing in APR’s way are bitter rivals Rayon Sports, who reached the final after edging Gorilla FC on the away-goals rule following a tightly contested semifinal tie.

Rayon Sports head into the clash determined to deny APR another trophy and salvage their season with silverware.

Despite inconsistent league performances, the Blues have shown defensive resilience in crucial matches this campaign and will view the Peace Cup final as the perfect opportunity to disrupt APR’s domestic dominance.

Head-to-head

APR FC have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings, winning four of the last six encounters between the two rivals.

The military side also carry a psychological advantage from the 2025 Peace Cup final, where they defeated Rayon Sports 2-0 at Amahoro Stadium courtesy of goals from Djibril Ouattara and Gilbert Mugisha.

What’s at stake?

Beyond silverware, the final carries enormous pride and bragging rights for both clubs.

APR FC are targeting a domestic double to cap an impressive season, while Rayon Sports are chasing redemption and an opportunity to prove the famous rivalry remains fiercely competitive.

The Blues also have extra motivation, as lifting the Peace Cup would secure qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.

Tags

APR FC

Rayon Sports

Peace Cup Final