PHOTOS: APR FC celebrate domestic treble after win over Gicumbi FC
Monday, June 01, 2026
APR FC players and staff celebrate the BK Pro League title after beating Gicumbi at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, May 31. PHOTOS BY IGIHE

APR FC were officially crowned BK Pro League champions on Sunday at Kigali Pelé Stadium, capping off a remarkable season in which they completed a domestic treble.

The Army Side secured their seventh consecutive league title and 24th overall after finishing as the highest-ranked Rwandan club in the 2025/26 campaign. They celebrated the achievement with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Gicumbi FC in their final league match of the season.

William Mel Togui opened the scoring in the 44th minute, giving APR a deserved lead heading into the break. Cheikh Djibril Ouattara doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half, calmly finishing to seal the win.

Ouattara’s goal also secured the Golden Boot award, as he finished the season as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals. He was also named Man of the Match.

The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes at a packed Kigali Pelé Stadium, where thousands of supporters had gathered to celebrate another successful campaign.

One of the emotional highlights of the evening came during the trophy presentation when former APR midfielder Andrew Buteera was invited to lift the league trophy alongside the team.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Mubarakh Muganga praised the club’s continued dominance and explained the significance of the three fingers he raised during the celebrations.

"I raised three fingers because we won three trophies. If there were five trophies to compete for, I would want us to win all of them,” Muganga said.

"I thank the players for making us proud. We are happy to keep this title, and our goal is to continue winning it for as long as possible.”

Reflecting on his Golden Boot triumph, Ouattara credited his teammates for their role in his success.

"The first objective was to win for the fans. I thank God that I was also able to score and finish as the league’s top scorer,” he said.

"But this achievement belongs to the entire team. Every APR player contributed to this award.”

The league trophy and medals were presented by FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema, Rwanda Premier League Chairman Hadji Yussuf Mudaheranwa, APR FC Secretary General Rtd. Col. Vincent Mugisha, and Bank of Kigali representative Paul Sinanga.

With the domestic season now over, APR FC will shift their focus to the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.

Although they finished second in the overall league standings behind Sudan’s Al Hilal SC, who competed in Rwanda due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, APR secured the national title as the highest-placed Rwandan club and will represent the country in Africa’s premier club competition.

The awarding ceremony took place at Kigali Pele Stadium on Sunday, May 31.
Army side captain Niyomugabo poses for a photo with team supporters during a celebration.
APR FC striker Cheikh Djibril Ouattara finishines as the BK Pro League’s top scorer with 18 goals to secure the Golden Boot award.