[PHOTOS & VIDEO] Rayon Sports are Peace Cup champions

FinalAPR FC 0-1 Rayon Sports Third placeAS Kigali 1-0 Espoir FC Rayon Sports have won the 2016 Peace Cup after defeating archrivals APR FC 1-0 in a nail-biting and drama-filled final at a fully packed Amahoro National Stadium on Monday. Mali striker Ismailia Diarra netted the goal that separated the two teams in the 92nd minute when he lashed onto a rebound after APR goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera had made a brilliant one-handed save to initially deny Pierro Kwizera. It is Rayon Sports’ ninth Peace Cup in total but the fourth in the post 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and the first since 2005. For interim head coach Djuma Masudi, who won the competition as Rayon Sports captain 11 years ago, it is his first trophy as coach. This year’s final was the first between the country’s top two clubs since 2010 when APR FC came out on top (1-0) courtesy of an extra time strike from the late Patrick Mafisango. Ninth Peace Cup Today’s victory hands Rayon Sports the opportunity to represent Rwanda in next year’s CAF Orange Confederation Cup. Rayon Sports also won it in 1976, 1979, 1982, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2005. On top of the trophy and a ticket to represent the country in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Rayon Sports also walked away with Rwf8m in cash prize. Masudi’s team are also still with a chance in the race for the national league title. Rayon Sports players wheel away to celebrate their late winning goal at Amahoro Stadium. (Nadege Imbabazi) APR withstood persistent pressure in the first half as forwards, Diarra, Savio Dominique Nshuti and Pierrot Kwizera as well as Emmanuel Imanishimwe had clear chances but without causing goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera much trouble. The newly crowned champions dominated the game for large spells, with quick exchanges and fast runs, especially on the left flank between Nshuti, Kwizera, Diarra and Fabrice Mugheni Kakule. APR defender Michel Rusheshangoga fouls Rayon Sports winger Dominique Savio Nshuti. (Nadege Imbabazi) APR coach Nizar Khanfir had employed five defenders in a bid to deal with Rayon Sports striking force. The game appeared destined to go into extra time, Rayon’s persistence paid off, two minutes into the four minutes of stoppage time. From the first whistle, the game was played with high intensity from both sets of players, and it called for a top drawer performance from referee Louis Hakizimana to control the situation. Rayon Sports forward Ismaila Diarra (L) fights for the ball with APR defender Emery Bayisenge. (Nadege Imbabazi). APR central defender Emery Bayisenge was replaced after just 23 minute after receiving a yellow card for overzealous tackles and being talked by the referee on four separate occasions. It took half an hour for the military side to settle into their strides. Issa Bigirimana and Andrew Buteera had two good chances to score but failed to hit the target. Rayon Sports forward Ismaila Diarra (L) jumps to avoid a tackle from APR defender Emery Bayisenge. (Nadege Imbabazi) In the second half, APR started to press forward a lot more. Khanfir replaced midfielder Yannick Mukunzi with striker Michel Ndahinduka but the former Bugesera FC man, did little to suggest he can be the match winner. Bronze for AS Kigali APR’s Bigirimana, Rwatubyaye, Mukunzi Rugiwro and Jean Claude Iranzai were all booked while Rayon’s Kakule Thierry Manzi and Diarra went into the ref’s book in a fiery encounter. APR defender Michel Rusheshangoga (L) encounters the ball with Rayon Sports winger Dominique Savio Nshuti. (Nadege Imbabazi) Rayon continued to cause all sorts of problems for the APR defence, until midfielder Janvier Benedata, who replaced Bayisenge, lost ball to Pierrot, who escaped defenders Helve Rugwiro and Abdul Rwatubyaye before unleashing a shot, which Kwizera saved but Diarra was on hand to net the rebound. The goal sent the thousands of Rayon Sports fans inside the capacity-filled Amahoro National Stadium and millions more watching on TV around the country, into a frenzy. Rayon Sports head coach Masudi Djuma lifted up by jubilating players. (Nadege Imbabazi) Meanwhile, Eric Nshimiyimana’s AS Kigali beat Espoir 1-0 to claim the third place, thanks to Ernest Sugira’s lone goal in the 80th minute. They took home Rwf1.5m. APR bagged Rwf4m. SC Kiyovu striker Andre Lomami with (7 goals), bagged the top scorer Rwf500,000 prize. editorial@newtimes.co.rw