Saturday Rayon 1-2 AS Kigali (Aggr: 3-3, Pen. 2-4) The 2001 and 2013 Peace Cup winners, AS Kigali, have reached this year’s final after edging out league champions Rayon Sports in semi-finals yesterday. The City of Kigali-sponsored side progressed the final 4-2 on penalties after winning the return-leg 2-1 in regular time. Rayon had claimed the first-leg by the same score on Wednesday. By bowing out of the competition, Rayon missed a chance to win their first domestic League – Peace Cup double, while AS Kigali are looking to clinch their Peace Cup title. The latter have never lost a Peace Cup final. Leading 2-1 from Wednesday’s first leg, the Blues went into the game as favourites and only needed a draw to reach their second Peace Cup final in as many attempts, but AS Kigali were determined for a comeback – to make amends for their poor league season where they finished in a disappointing seventh position with 39 points, 33 behind champions Rayon. Former Rayon Sports skipper Fuadi Ndayisenga and Ugandan import Flank Kalanda scored in either half – in the 44th and 47th minutes, respectively – to put AS Kigali into the commanding position, but centre-back Ange Mutsinzi’s late goal handed Rayon another fighting chance. Ghana-born striker Michel Sarpong, who was sent off in the 69th minute, could have put Rayon ahead in the 37th minute after receiving a cross from Eric Radou Iradukunda in the penalty area but he fired over the crossbar under minimum pressure. Sarpong, 23, was shown a straight red card by centre referee Moise Mulindangabo after the former allegedly insulted him after fouling AS Kigali midfielder Eric Nsabimana. However, the disadvantage didn’t seem to affect the Blues as they piled endless pressure on AS Kigali defenders in search for a goal to level the tie. Jules Ulimwengu, Gilbert Mugisha and captain Djabel Manishimwe continued to find space inside AS Kigali’s half as the game progressed, but all their efforts – mostly from outside the box – were dealt with the outstanding goalkeeper Batte Shamiru. When Rayon looked done and everything working in AS Kigali’s favour, Mutsinzi scored with a header in the dying seconds of the four-minute added time to force the tie into shootouts, which Jean de Dieu Mateso’s men won 4-2 to reach their first Peace Cup final since 2013. With a 3-all aggregate score, the winner had to be determined through penalties. AS Kigali converted all their four spot kicks through skipper Tumaini Ntamuhanga, Janvier Benedata, Latif Bishira and Eric Nsabimana, while only Saddam Nyandwi and Prosper Donkor were successful takers for Rayon as Christophe Bukuru and Manishimwe missed theirs. After being dethroned as league champions last month, APR’s only chance to play continental football next season depended on Rayon Sports’ ability to win the Peace Cup. With their exit, the army side will have to wait at least until the 2020/2021 season. AS Kigali will meet SC Kiyovu or Police in the final on July 4. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
