A friendly match between Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars and their Sudanese counterparts at Kigali Stadium on Saturday descended into chaos on the stroke of full-time, forcing security personnel to enter the pitch to calm the situation. All was well until virtually the last kick of the game when Rwanda international Muhadjiri Hakizimana was fouled near the touchline, drawing an angry reaction from the talented midfielder. Hakizimana did not take it lightly, quickly turning into a kickboxer, a reaction which immediately drew in both sets of players and briefly turned the pitch into a scene of punches, kicks and chases. By then centre referee Jean Claude Ishimwe had blown the final whistle and he and his assistants were struggling to contain the situation when police officers arrived. The situation was soon brought under control, but some players disappeared back in their dressing room still seething with rage. While some players did not help matters, others turned into peacemakers, separating their colleagues and helping end the ugly scenes. It was the second friendly game between the two sides in one week as they both gear up for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers. With the first game having ended in a goalless draw on Thursday, Amavubi won the second 1-0 thanks to a Gerard Gohou strike. In the hours following the ugly scenes at the Kigali Stadium, Ferwafa, Rwanda’s football governing body, released a statement apologising to Sudan over what it called an unsportsmanlike behaviour by Hakizimana. It promised to further look into the matter and act accordingly. The midfielder has also since apologised, releasing a statement the same evening that read in part, I am terribly sorry for my aggressive reactions shown in the end of our win over Sudan this Saturday. “I reacted wrongly against my opponent as he played badly towards me. I therefore apologize to all Rwandans, Sudan players and especially young generations that it will never be again. The New Times' Olivier Mugwiza was at the game and captured the scenes.
