Police FC beat Bugesera FC 2-1 in a keenly contested final on Wednesday, May 1, to win the 2023/24 Peace Cup, their first since 2015. It was a game full of nerve wrecking moments at Kigali Pele Stadium as Police FC survived a late scare from Bugesera FC to end the season with a trophy which earned them a ticket to the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup. It was the best gift Vincent Mashami had to give his employers after a terrible Primus National League campaign. Led by Peace Cup serial winner Francis Haringingo, Bugesera FC, who went into the final as underdogs, started the game aggressively as they pushed for an early opener. The Nyamata-based side had the first chance after six minutes of action as Elijah Ani's header from Faustin Niyomukiza cross missed the post by inches. Haringingo’s side posed a couple of more attacking threats against Police FC as Farouk Ssentongo was beautifully played through by Augustin Kaneza but his effort missed the target to the relief of the Rayon fans. Again, in a swift counter attack in the 23rd minute, Ssentongo found Ani with a sublime pass but goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo timed the ball well and saved the striker’s shot. Police FC had their first major chance in the 26th minute when Didier Mugisha drifted right and controlled the ball and prevented it from crossing the line. He found Muhadjiri Hakizimana who turned his marker inside out but saw his strike going off target. Mashami had to change his tactics when the likes of skipper Dominique Savio Nshuti and midfield duo Hesbon Rutonesha and Djibrine Akuki were resolute as they tried to put the brakes on Bugesera players from midfield. Hakizimana, who was playing just behind Mugisha, had a glorious chance in the 38th as the latter created enough space for him but his shot sailed way over the crossbar. Both teams failed to capitalize their chances as they headed into halftime tied to a 0-0 draw although Bugesera had been the most dangerous side. The second half started with both teams trying to maintain position with interposition passes. Rukundo pulled a top notch save to prevent Gilbert Tuyihimbaze from breaking the deadlock as he tipped his goal bound header over the bar in the 52nd minute. Instead, Police broke the deadlock in the 57th minute after David Nshimirimana failed to clear Hakizimana’s shot; Akuki stole the ball and hit it past goalkeeper Patience Niyongira. After conceding the goal, Haringingo brought on Vincent Adams for Gilbert Tuyihimbaze in the 65thminute, the same minute when Mashami substituted goal scorer Akuki who paved way for Chukwuma Odili. Police FC dominated ball possession even when they were 1-0 ahead as they pinned Bugesera FC into their own half. Veteran midfielder Eric Nsabimana made it 2-0 in the 65th minute as he soared high above his marker to head home a corner kick. With 20 minutes to go, Mashami brought on Moro Sumaila for Didier Mugisha who had been a mere passenger in the second half. Adams changed the phase of the game with his extraordinary display as Bugesera FC took control. Ssentogo halved Bugesera FC’s deficit when he pulled one back with a fabulous strike in the 80thminute. With the 2-1 score, Bugesera never gave up as they hoped to find an equalizer in the final 10 minutes. Ani, who was a nightmare for Police FC defenders, had his attempt just outside the box blocked in the 82nd minute as Police came under intense pressure. Bugesera kept pressing in the dying minutes and a penalty ruled out in the 88th minute after Ani’s strike hit Nsabimana’s hand in the box. There was more action in the four minutes of additional time as Rukundo pulled two saves to deny Ani the equalizer. Police suffered in the final minutes but they held on until referee Nsoro Ruzindana blew the full time whistle as the game ended 2-1 in favor of Police FC. Thanks to the Peace Cup glory, Police will represent Rwanda in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup.
