August 27: Semifinal fixtures 3:00pm: Kiyovu Sports vs Mukura VS&L 6:30pm: Rayon Sports vs Police FC Both matches take place at Kigali Pele Stadium The 2026 FERWAFA Super Cup gets underway on Thursday at Kigali Pelé Stadium with a revamped format, record prize money and four clubs competing for the first silverware of the new season. Traditionally contested as a one-off match between the Rwanda Premier League champions and Peace Cup winners, this year’s edition has been expanded into a four-team mini-tournament featuring two semi-finals and a final. Rayon Sports, Police FC, Kiyovu Sports and Mukura VS&L will battle for the trophy in what promises to be an intriguing curtain-raiser to the new domestic season. How were the participants selected? APR FC secured automatic qualification after completing a domestic double by winning both the 2025/26 Rwanda Premier League and Peace Cup. However, the military side opted not to participate, citing concerns over changes to the competition’s format. Their withdrawal paved the way for Mukura VS&L to join the tournament and complete the four-team line-up. As a result, Rayon Sports, Police FC, Kiyovu Sports and Mukura VS&L will compete for the first major trophy of the campaign and an early opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of the league season. New format, new rules One of the biggest talking points surrounding this year’s Super Cup is its new structure. Departing from the traditional winner-takes-all format, FERWAFA has introduced a mini-tournament featuring two semi-finals and a final. The winners of Thursday’s fixtures will advance to the championship match on August 30, when the 2026 Super Cup trophy will be decided. The federation has also introduced several rule changes aimed at giving clubs greater flexibility. Teams will be allowed to field an unlimited number of foreign players, name up to 20 players on the match sheet and make a maximum of seven substitutions per game. The adjustments are expected to help coaches assess squad depth, manage player workloads and integrate new signings ahead of the league campaign, while also adding to the spectacle for supporters. Record prize money The prize money has also been increased. Following approval by the FERWAFA Executive Committee, the 2026 Super Cup winners will receive Rwf40 million, double the Rwf20 million awarded last year. The runners-up will take home Rwf20 million, up from Rwf10 million in the previous edition. All set for kick-off Action begins on Thursday with Kiyovu Sports taking on Mukura VS&L in the opening semi-final at 3pm. Attention will then turn to 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup champions Rayon Sports, who face Police FC at 6:30pm. The two winners will meet in Saturday’s final, where the first domestic trophy of the 2026/27 season will be at stake.
