FERWAFA confirms four-team 2026 Super Cup without APR FC

The 2026 FERWAFA Super Cup will take on a new format this month after Rwanda’s football governing body confirmed that the competition will be contested by four teams, with Mukura Victory Sports & Loisir joining the line-up following APR FC’s decision not to participate.

FERWAFA announced on 18 August that the Super Cup would retain a four-team format after consultations with APR FC, Rayon Sports, Kiyovu Sports and Police FC.

The competition will consist of two semi-finals and a final at Kigali Pelé Stadium.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, 27 August, with Kiyovu Sports facing Mukura VS&L at 3pm, before Rayon Sports take on Police FC at 6:30pm.

The final and trophy presentation will follow on Sunday, 30 August at 3pm.

Mukura's inclusion follows APR FC’s decision not to participate under the four-team arrangement.

FERWAFA’s announcement does not give a specific reason for APR FC’s decision, saying only that the reigning champions informed the federation that they would not participate under the proposed format.

That opened the door for Mukura, who finished fifth in the 2025/26 BK Pro League, to complete the four-team field.

Their inclusion gives the Huye-based club an opportunity to compete for one of Rwanda's traditional season-opening trophies against three of the country's most established sides.

The Super Cup has traditionally been a meeting between the league champions and the Peace Cup winners.

When one club won both major domestic trophies, the runner-up in the league was used to complete the fixture.

The competition has therefore served as an early test of the country’s leading teams before the start of a new campaign.

Rayon Sports won the 2023 Super Cup after beating APR FC, while Police FC captured the 2024 edition by defeating APR FC on penalties after a goalless draw.

The most recent Super Cup meeting came in January 2026, when APR FC defeated arch-rivals Rayon Sports 4-1 to lift the trophy.

That encounter was itself a departure from the traditional timing, as the 2026 edition was played during the season rather than immediately before the new campaign.

APR FC’s absence will therefore be one of the major talking points of this year's competition.

The club had been expected to feature after its strong domestic campaign, but its withdrawal has reshaped the tournament and handed Mukura a place among the contenders.

With a new four-team structure, increased prize money and three matchdays packed into four days, the 2026 Super Cup promises to provide an intriguing curtain-raiser to Rwanda’s new football season.

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