Rayon, Police face off in search of Peace Cup glory

Today Final Rayon Sports vs Police FC 7pm Azam TV Third place Isonga FC vs APR 5pm Police head coach Andre Casambungo and his Rayon Sports counterpart Jean Baptiste Kayiranga will each be looking to win this year’s Peace Cup when they face off in the final this evening at Amahoro national stadium, kick off at 7pm. Police eliminated the defending champions APR on the away goals’ rule after a goalless draw in their semi-final second leg—the first leg ended 1-1. Rayon Sports reached the final for the first time since winning the Peace Cup in 2005 after knocking out Isonga FC with a 6-1 goal aggregate over both legs. It is the second time that Casambungo has managed to eliminate APR from the competition at the semi-final stage following his achievement in 2013 with AS Kigali, who went on to win the Cup after beating AS Muhanga 3-0 in the final. Now Casambungo is hoping to become the first coach to guide Police FC to their first ever major trophy in the club’s ten-year history. The former Sec Academy coach is optimistic that his side is capable of winning this year’s title. “I think we are capable of winning this title as we have shown by beating the best team in the country.” “We have eliminated the defending champions and we are going for the final with the purpose of winning the trophy, it will be a tough game because our opponents are very strong but we are ready,” he added. “The final will be tough against a very experienced team which is hungry to win a trophy for their fans who, I expect, will come in big numbers to support their team. But I know when my team is at their top form, we are capable of beating anyone, so we have to have confidence in our ability,” Casambungo explained. His counterpart at Rayon Sports, Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, is seeking to win his second Peace Cup title since guiding the Blues to glory ten years ago. It is not only to win the trophy, but also the fact the winners playing in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup is in itself a big motivation for both sides. The former SC Kiyovu, Mukura and Gicumbi coach said, “We want this trophy badly and we are ready for the challenge. We have our eyes on winning title because in a final you have to be ready and believe you can win or else you go home with nothing.” He added, “I know Police are a good team and they will be out for a win but we will try to minimise their chances of scoring.” Road to final On the way to the final, Police beat second division side ASPOR 3-0 in the preliminary round before defeating Sunrise FC 2-1 at the 1/8 round. In the quarter-finals, Mungo’s side edged SC Kiyovu 8-7 on penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw and then eliminated APR FC in the semis. As for Rayon Sports, who finished in a disappointing fifth position in the league, they thrashed Gasabo FC of the second tier division 3-0 in the earlier round. They then humbled SEC Academy, also from second division, 6-0, and before beated relegated Etincelles 2-0 in the quarter-finals and then another relegated side Isonga FC 6-1 over two legs in the semi-finals. Past winners 1995 APR 1996 APR 1997 Rayon Sports 1998 Rayon Sports 1999 Rwanda FC 2000 APR FC 2001 Les Citadins 2003 Rayon Sports 2004 not held 2005 Rayon Sports 2006 APR 2007 APR 2008 APR 2009 ATRACO 2010 APR 2011 APR 2012 APR 2013 AS Kigali 2014 APR