Rayon Sports activities stand getting ready to historical past as they put together to face Kenyan champions Gor Mahia within the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup ultimate at Amahoro Stadium on Friday.
After a formidable unbeaten marketing campaign, capped by Tuesday's 2-1 semifinal victory over South Sudan's Jamus SC, the Blues are only one win away from ending a 28-year anticipate regional glory.
Rayon final lifted the CECAFA title in 1998, defeating Tanzania's Mlandege FC 2-1 within the ultimate. Almost three many years later, the Kigali giants have one other alternative to reclaim the crown—this time in entrance of their dwelling supporters.
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For members of the victorious 1998 squad, the prospect of seeing Rayon Sports activities topped champions as soon as once more is very significant.
Former midfielder Billy Mbusa Kombi, who featured in that historic triumph, recalled the delight of successful the title and expressed confidence within the present workforce.
“It was a really particular second for us and for the entire membership. We’re completely satisfied to see Rayon Sports activities reaching this stage once more, and our prayers are with the workforce to win the trophy as soon as extra,” Mbusa informed Weekend Sport.
Mbusa and Zappy Mola scored the objectives that secured Rayon's well-known victory over Mlandege in Zanzibar.
Mola believes the present squad should undertake the identical successful mentality if they’re to raise the trophy.
“Profitable the CECAFA Cup was a privilege for us, but it surely got here as a result of we had the mindset of champions. The present gamers must have that very same mentality in the event that they need to raise the trophy,” he mentioned.
Reflecting on the success of the 1998 facet, he added, “We had a powerful squad that had been collectively for a very long time. We understood one another nicely, and that chemistry helped us construct a workforce able to successful the CECAFA title.”
New-look Rayon making an announcement
Rayon Sports activities have gained all 4 of their matches on this yr's match, conceding only one objective throughout their run to the ultimate.
Lengthy-time supporter and former workforce supervisor Gérard Migambi believes the membership's current recruitment has reworked the workforce.
“A number of credit score goes to the committee for laying the muse of a powerful workforce. The recruitment has been glorious, and so they introduced in high quality gamers who’ve made a giant distinction. I consider this workforce can raise the trophy,” Migambi mentioned.
ALSO READ: Rayon search to ‘rewrite CECAFA historical past’ forward of Jamus conflict
Few predicted that Rayon Sports activities would attain the ultimate after a number of inconsistent seasons, however the membership's revamped recruitment technique has rapidly modified perceptions because the appointment of Belgian Dylan Lienart as technical director in Might.
New signings Antonio Kossivi Atisso Kodjo, Elie Tatou Iradukunda, Dande Junior, Ibrahim Djingarey and Junior Kameni have all made an instantaneous impression, enjoying key roles within the membership's exceptional run.
Greater than only one ultimate
Former Rayon Sports activities goalkeeper Eugene Eric Murangwa described the membership's return to the CECAFA ultimate as a serious milestone after years of rebuilding.
“Reaching the CECAFA Kagame Cup ultimate for the primary time in 28 years is a major milestone for Rayon Sports activities. It isn’t solely a mirrored image of the workforce's performances on the pitch, but additionally a transparent indication that the membership is transferring in the appropriate course after years of turbulence and the current rebuilding course of,” Murangwa mentioned.
“This achievement ought to encourage everybody related to Rayon Sports activities—gamers, coaches, administration and supporters—to consider as soon as once more that sustained success is feasible.”
Whereas he hopes Rayon reclaim the trophy, Murangwa careworn that the membership's long-term ambitions lengthen past Friday's ultimate.
“The speedy goal is to complete the job and ensure the trophy stays at dwelling, simply because the membership did in 1998. Nonetheless, whether or not Rayon Sports activities wins the trophy or not, this shouldn’t be seen as the ultimate vacation spot,” he mentioned.
“The broader mission of re-establishing the membership on the summit of Rwandan and regional soccer should proceed with persistence, stability and a long-term imaginative and prescient.”
One ultimate step
Head coach Francis Christian Haringingo has praised his gamers for sustaining an ideal report all through the match however insists their work isn’t but full.
“The gamers have proven nice dedication and character all through the competitors,” the Burundian tactician mentioned.
“We’re completely satisfied to be within the ultimate, however our goal is now to win the trophy. This match has additionally offered good preparation forward of the brand new season, and we need to end it on a excessive.”
Friday's ultimate guarantees an intriguing battle of contrasting strengths.
Rayon Sports activities might begin as slight favourites due to their unbeaten run, defensive report, and passionate dwelling assist. Nonetheless, Gor Mahia's hard-fought victory over Al Hilal serves as a reminder that the ultimate is unlikely to be simple.
With hundreds of Rayon Sports activities supporters anticipated to fill Amahoro Stadium, the Blues have a golden alternative to finish a 28-year wait and write one other unforgettable chapter within the membership's historical past.
If Haringingo's males can preserve the defensive self-discipline that has outlined their marketing campaign and capitalize on their probabilities in entrance of objective, Friday might lastly be the evening that Rayon Sports activities finish their 28-year CECAFA Cup drought.
Including additional incentive, the match winners will obtain US$30,000, whereas the runners-up will earn US$20,000. The third-placed workforce will take dwelling US$10,000.
For Rayon Sports activities, nevertheless, the largest prize isn’t monetary. It’s the likelihood to win what would their first trophy since President Paul Kagame began sponsoring the match in 2002.
