Rayon Sports made Rwanda’s Umuganura celebrations even more memorable on Friday night after defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia 2-1 after extra time to win the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
The victory ended Rayon Sports’ 28-year wait for the regional title, with the Rwandan giants last lifting the trophy in 1998.
The final, played on August 7, brought together two clubs with long histories in the competition. Rayon Sports had waited 28 years for another title, while Gor Mahia had last won the tournament in 1985, leaving the Kenyan side with a 41-year wait for another triumph.
The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup began on July 24 and concluded with a tightly contested final between the two regional giants.
Rayon Sports took the lead in the 27th minute after captain Nshimiyimana Emmanuel “Kabange” delivered a well-placed ball forward.
Iradukunda Elia Tatou attempted to connect with it but missed, while Kameni Herman Junior also failed to make clean contact. The ball nevertheless continued towards goal and crossed the line past Gor Mahia goalkeeper Bryne Omondi Odhiambo to give Rayon Sports a 1-0 advantage.
Rayon Sports appeared to have doubled its lead seven minutes later when Burundian midfielder Muderi Akbar converted from an Iradukunda corner.
However, international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan disallowed the goal for handball, leaving Rayon Sports with a narrow advantage.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Rayon Sports, while Rwandan musician Chris Eazy entertained spectators during the halftime break.
Gor Mahia came out with renewed attacking intent in the second half, with much of its threat coming from the left flank through Shariff Sabuni Sirengo Musa.
Sirengo, who had caused problems for the Rayon Sports defence, eventually restored parity in the 53rd minute after beating the Rwandan side’s defence to make it 1-1.
Both teams continued to search for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock before the end of the 90 minutes.
The match therefore went into 30 minutes of extra time.
Rayon Sports regained the lead during extra time through Muhoza Daniel.
Nshuti Didier sent a long ball forward, with Kameni Herman Junior getting a touch with his head before the ball fell to Muhoza, who finished the move to put Rayon Sports 2-1 ahead.
The Rwandan side held on for the remaining minutes to secure a 2-1 victory and lift the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Rayon Sports received $30,000 in prize money, while Gor Mahia took home $20,000 as runners-up.
Although Rayon Sports had previously won the competition, this was the club’s first title since the tournament began receiving sponsorship from Rwandan President Paul Kagame in 2002.
Al Hilal finish third
Earlier on Friday, Sudanese side Al Hilal SC Omdurman defeated South Sudan’s Jamus SC 2-1 in the third-place playoff.
Al Hilal, who lost last year’s final, secured third place and received $10,000 in prize money.
Kabange named best player
Rayon Sports captain Nshimiyimana Emmanuel “Kabange” was one of the biggest individual winners of the tournament.
He was named the competition’s Best Player and also received the Fair Play Award.
Rayon Sports goalkeeper Dande Junior was named the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper after conceding only two goals during the competition.
Al Hilal’s Ansumana Samura and APR FC’s Djibril Outtara shared the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s top scorers with three goals each.
