Rayon Sports edge Al Hilal to reach CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals

Rayon Sports booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup after a disciplined 1-0 victory over Sudan’s Al Hilal SC at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday evening.

Antonio Atisso Kodjo’s first-half strike proved the difference as the Rwandan giants completed a perfect group-stage campaign, finishing top of Group C with nine points from three matches.

Needing only a point to progress, Rayon instead produced another assured display in front of a passionate home crowd to seal maximum points and head into the last four with growing confidence.

Rayon Sports began brightly and nearly found an early breakthrough inside the opening minute when Iradukunda Elie Tatou surged down the flank before finding Emmanuel Nshimiyimana, whose cross was met by Ibrahim Djingarey, but the midfielder headed narrowly wide.

Al Hilal responded with a dangerous attack of their own in the sixth minute as Ahmed Salem delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area, but no teammate could apply the finishing touch.

The Blues continued to look the more threatening side and went close again after nine minutes when Elie Tatou won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

The resulting effort drifted just past the post with goalkeeper Soufiane Farid beaten.

The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute.

Nshimiyimana Emmanuel, known as ‘Kabange’, produced an excellent pass into the penalty area where Antonio Atisso Kodjo timed his run perfectly before calmly finishing beyond Farid to send the majority of supporters inside Amahoro Stadium into celebration.

The goal settled Rayon Sports, who continued to dominate possession and create the better opportunities.

Elie Tatou remained a constant threat on the left wing, while Issa Djiguiba and Kameni Herman Junior repeatedly stretched the Sudanese defence.

Al Hilal forced into an early change after Kamaradini Mamudu was forced off through injury before the visitors gradually grew into the contest.

Sunday Adetunji, Ahmed Salem and Omer Taha all tested Rayon’s back line, but goalkeeper Dande Junior and captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana marshalled the defence superbly to preserve the lead before the interval.

Al Hilal returned for the second half with three substitutions in an attempt to change the game, introducing Akire Temple, Godwin Frimpong and Emmanuel Flomo.

The changes increased their attacking intent, but clear-cut chances remained scarce.

Their best opportunity came in the 48th minute when Flomo burst through on goal, only for defender Nshimiyimana Emmanuel to produce an outstanding last-ditch tackle before the forward could shoot.

Rayon, however, continued to threaten on the counter-attack.

Elie Tatou came close shortly before the hour mark after Ganijuru Ishimwe’s incisive run created an opening, but his effort was blocked by recovering defenders.

The Rwandan side also squandered another excellent chance in the 68th minute when Tatou found himself one-on-one with Farid, only for the goalkeeper to make a comfortable save.

With Al Hilal struggling to break down Rayon’s organised defence, coach Francis Christian Haringingo introduced fresh legs, bringing on Tambwe Gloire, Didier Ndayishimiye and later Nizeyimana Mubaraka to help see out the closing stages.

The Sudanese side pushed forward during five minutes of added time, winning late set-pieces and corners, but Rayon Sports defended resolutely to secure a famous victory.

In the semi-finals, Rayon Sports will face South Sudan’s Jamus SC, while Al Hilal will take on Kenya’s Gor Mahia.

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