Former champions Rayon Sports staged brilliant performances as they edged AS Kigali 3-2 at Stade Muhanga to cruise to the final of the 2016 Peace Cup tournament.
Burundian import Pierrot Kwizera scored a brace while Malian international Ismailla Diarra who is soon crossing over to Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards snatched a piece to sink Eric nshimiyimana’s side which had found the net twice courtesy of Kabura Muhamud and Mico Justin.
Kwizera put the hosts in the lead in the 15th minute courtesy of his trademark long shots which left AS Kigali custodian Shamiru Batte lying in the goal posts.
Seven minutes later, Kabura equalized following Rayon Sports defensive miscommunication and the visitors were again in lead in the 34th minute when Mico Justin scored a brilliant free.
With things turning worse for the blues, Coach Masudi Djuma introduced Savio Nshuti Dominique for Eric Irambona and this substitution paid off immediately as Nshuti created a set piece for Diarra who made no mistake in scoring Rayon’s second and equalizing goal.
With the game set to be ending in a draw, AS Kigali goalie Batte made unprofessional mitake as he held the ball outside his designated goal area, gifting Rayon Sports a free kick.
Burundian Kwizera made no mistake but to punish the visitors as he struck free kick to makeit 3-2 at half time.
Both teams played entertaining football in the second half but none could find the net thus forcing the game to end in a 3-2 win for the hosts. Rayon Sports booked a place in the final on a 4-3 goal aggregate following a 1-all draw secured in the first leg.
In another semi-final match, APR Fc booked a place in the final after defeating visitors Espoir Fc 1-0 at Stade de Kigali courtesy of a lone strike from Janvier Benedata.
The final of the 2016 Peace Cup tournament will be played on Monday, July 4, 2016 at Amahoro Stadium at 15h30 while the third-match play-off will kick off at 13:00.
The winner of this year’s Peace Cup tournament will represent Rwanda at next year’s CAF Orange Confederation Cup.
Diarra and teamate Emanuel Manishimiwe leaves for Kenya at the end of the current Rwanda Azam Premier League season having signed long contracts with the 13-times champions.
Additional reporting by FERWAFA.rw
