Rayon Sports have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup after securing a 1-0 victory over Sudanese giants Al Hilal SC Omdurman, finishing the group stage as the only team with a perfect record.
The Rwandan champions sealed top spot in Group C on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in a decisive encounter at Amahoro Stadium played in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva.
The match was expected to determine the group winner, with both teams entering the final group fixture having already secured qualification hopes.
Rayon Sports took the lead in the first half through Antonio Kossivi Atisso Kodjo, who converted a well-timed assist from captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana “Kabange” to beat Al Hilal goalkeeper Soufiane Farid Ouedraogo.
The goal was Atisso’s third of the tournament, following his strikes against Kenya’s Gor Mahia during Rayon Day and Tusker FC in the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
After going ahead, Rayon Sports shifted their focus to defending the advantage as Al Hilal dominated possession and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. However, the Sudanese side could not find a breakthrough before the interval.
In the second half, Rayon Sports head coach Haringingo Francis Christian maintained a defensive approach, while Al Hilal coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu introduced attacking changes in an attempt to rescue the game.
The Blues remained organised at the back and held on to claim maximum points, finishing the group stage with three wins from three matches.
Rayon Sports topped Group C with nine points, scoring four goals and keeping a clean sheet in all their matches, making them the only team at the tournament to achieve a 100 per cent record.
Although Al Hilal suffered defeat, they progressed to the semi-finals as the best-ranked losing team, having collected six points and maintained a positive goal difference of six.
In the other Group C fixture, Kenya’s Tusker FC defeated KVZ SC of Zanzibar 2-0 to finish third with three points, while KVZ exited the tournament without a point after conceding eight goals and failing to score.
Rayon Sports will face South Sudan’s Jamus FC in the semi-finals after the latter finished top of Group B, while Al Hilal will meet Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC.
The semi-final matches are scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Kigali Pele Stadium.
