Rayon Sports activities gamers, coaches and supporters had been stuffed with pleasure after the membership ended a 28-year look ahead to CECAFA Kagame Cup glory, whereas Gor Mahia had been left to rue one other painful close to miss following a dramatic 2-1 defeat in Friday’s remaining at Amahoro Stadium.
Enjoying in entrance of a capability residence crowd, Rayon Sports activities secured solely their second CECAFA Kagame Cup title, including to the trophy they final gained in 1998.
Membership captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana described the triumph as a historic achievement.
“There was nice stress on us to win this CECAFA match, particularly enjoying in entrance of our supporters at residence,” Nshimiyimana stated after lifting the trophy.
“Successful this trophy is one thing that may stay in our historical past ceaselessly. That is the start of pleasure for Rayon Sports activities gamers and followers. We’re proud to have introduced this title again to our membership after a few years.”
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations amongst hundreds of supporters inside Amahoro Stadium and throughout the nation as Rayon Sports activities reclaimed their place amongst East and Central Africa’s soccer elite.
Teen Daniel Muhoza emerged because the hero after coming off the bench to attain the successful objective with a spectacular acrobatic end that despatched the house crowd into wild celebrations.
“I’m comfortable to be a part of this historical past and to assist the membership win such a giant trophy,” he stated.
“Let’s take pleasure in this second. I consider that is just the start for our staff and we’ll preserve working laborious.”
Midfielder Akbar Muderi additionally highlighted the importance of the achievement after a match that demanded resilience and dedication from the squad.
“We’re comfortable to win. It was a hard-fought match, however ultimately we managed to get the victory,” Muderi stated.
“There’s pleasure in all places and when persons are comfortable, it means loads to us and to the complete Rayon Sports activities household.”
On the coronary heart of the Blues’ historic marketing campaign was head coach Francis Haringingo, who grew to become solely the second coach within the membership’s historical past to information Rayon Sports activities to CECAFA Kagame Cup glory, following Raoul Shungu, who led the membership to its maiden title in 1998.
The Burundian tactician praised his gamers for executing the sport plan regardless of the immense stress surrounding the ultimate.
“I’m very comfortable,” Haringingo stated.
“I thank the gamers as a result of they carried out all the pieces we had deliberate. We had a technique, we executed it properly, and that guided us to the title.”
Past regional bragging rights, the triumph additionally introduced monetary rewards. Rayon Sports activities obtained US$30,000 in prize cash as champions, whereas Sudan’s Al Hilal earned US$10,000 after defeating South Sudan’s Jamus 2-1 within the third-place playoff.
Among the many jubilant supporters was Steven Murengerantwari, who stated the match had positioned monumental stress on everybody related to the membership, significantly the followers.
“There was a whole lot of stress on the entire membership, particularly us supporters,” he stated.
“We’re comfortable, more than pleased. I really feel like I can dance from now till morning. This can be a big achievement for us.”
One other long-time supporter, Claude Muhawenimana, described the victory as a particular second for the complete Rayon Sports activities household.
“That is one thing we desperately wanted,” Muhawenimana stated.
“It’ll open doorways to better alternatives and assist appeal to high quality gamers to the membership.”
“Let’s take pleasure in this second and rejoice many times.”
Okay’Ogalo’s CECAFA jinx continues
For Gor Mahia, the defeat prolonged their look ahead to regional success. The Kenyan giants have now misplaced back-to-back CECAFA Kagame Cup finals and stay and not using a regional title since 1985.
