Rayon Sports ended a 28-year wait for the CECAFA Kagame Cup on Friday night after defeating Kenya’s Gor Mahia 2–1 in a dramatic final at Amahoro Stadium.
The victory secured Rayon Sports’ second regional title, following their maiden triumph in 1998, and brought the coveted trophy back to Rwanda after nearly three decades.
It was a night of history for the Rwandan giants, who were playing in front of a passionate home crowd and delivered when it mattered most.
Rayon Sports took the lead through Cameroonian forward Junior Kameni, before Daniel Muhoza doubled their advantage and put the hosts firmly in control.
Gor Mahia, three-time winners of the competition, pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish, but Rayon Sports held their nerve through the closing stages to complete a memorable victory.
For Rayon, the triumph marks their first CECAFA Kagame Cup title since the competition was rebranded in 2002 following its adoption by President Paul Kagame as its principal sponsor.
A long-awaited return to the top
Rayon Sports had waited since 1998 to reclaim the regional crown.
Their first title came 28 years ago when they defeated Zanzibar’s Mlandege 2–1 in the final.
Since then, the club had experienced several unsuccessful campaigns, making Friday night’s victory particularly significant for a generation of supporters who had never seen their team lift the trophy.
The latest success also adds another major chapter to the club’s history under head coach Francis Haringingo, who has overseen a largely revamped squad.
Rayon entered the tournament with renewed ambition and quickly showed signs that they could be serious contenders.
Kameni and Muhoza lead the charge
The attacking partnership between Kameni and Muhoza proved decisive throughout the tournament.
Rayon opened their campaign with a 2–0 victory over Zanzibar’s KVZ, with Kameni converting from the penalty spot before Muhoza added the second.
For Muhoza, who joined Rayon Sports from Etoile de l’Est during the current transfer window, the goal was his first competitive strike for the club.
He would go on to play another key role in the final, finding the net when Rayon needed him most.
The club had also demonstrated their attacking strength before the Kagame Cup, beating Gor Mahia 2–0 during the annual Rayon Day celebrations at Kigali Pelé Stadium in July, with Atisso Kodjo and Fabio Nkundimana on the scoresheet.
Gor Mahia fall short
Gor Mahia arrived in Kigali with considerable regional pedigree and entered the final as one of the most experienced sides in the competition.
The Kenyan giants have won the CECAFA title three times in 1980, 1981 and 1985 — but were unable to add a fourth crown on Friday night.
Despite their experience and a late push after reducing the deficit, Gor Mahia could not find an equaliser as Rayon Sports defended their advantage until the final whistle.
Rwanda celebrates at home
The 2026 tournament featured 12 clubs from across East and Central Africa, divided into three groups, with the three group winners and the best second-placed side progressing to the semi-finals.
Rwanda was represented by Rayon Sports and reigning domestic champions APR FC.
For Rayon Sports, however, the story ended with silverware.
The victory gives Rwanda another major regional football triumph on home soil, with the CECAFA Kagame Cup returning to the country for the first time since 2019.
But for the thousands of Rayon Sports supporters who filled Amahoro Stadium, the significance of the night can be summed up in one simple fact, a fter 28 years, the Kagame Cup is back in blue.
