Rayon Sports edge Jamus, return to CECAFA Kagame Cup final after 13-year

Rayon Sports booked their place in the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup final with a commanding 3-1 victory over South Sudan's Jamus FC, ending a 13-year wait to reach the tournament’s showpiece after an impressive performance at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Rwandan giants produced a good display to overcome a spirited Jamus side and set up a mouth-watering final against Kenya’s Gor Mahia at Amahoro Stadium on August 7.

Francis Christian Haringingo’s men struck first in the 17th minute through new signing Muderi Akbar, who scored his maiden goal for Rayon Sports after a well-worked team move.

The attack began with Muderi winning possession in midfield before releasing Elie Tatou Iradukunda.

Tatou found captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana, whose low delivery into the penalty area was met by Muderi, who calmly slotted home to hand the hosts the lead.

Jamus FC had started brightly and enjoyed more possession during the opening stages, but Rayon Sports looked more dangerous whenever they broke forward.

Issa Djiguiba and Herman Junior Kameni both tested goalkeeper Majak Maling, who produced important saves to keep the South Sudanese side in the contest before the interval.

Despite Jamus enjoying 52 percent possession in the first half, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as Rayon Sports defended with discipline.

The Rwandan side went into the break leading 1-0 and appeared increasingly confident as the match progressed.

Rayon doubled their advantage 11 minutes into the second half after capitalising on a costly defensive error.

Djiguiba carried the ball from midfield before Jamus failed to clear their lines, allowing Ibrahim Mansouru Djingarey to collect possession and fire an unstoppable first-time finish beyond Majak for his second goal of the tournament.

Jamus refused to surrender and found a way back into the match in the 69th minute. Striker Bandiougou Diallo punished a misunderstanding between defender Didier Nshuti and goalkeeper Dande Junior, reducing the deficit and briefly reigniting his side's hopes of a comeback.

Haringingo responded by introducing Nizeyimana Mubaraka and Tambwe Gloire from the bench, changes that injected fresh energy into Rayon Sports' attack.

The substitutions paid off three minutes from time when Tambwe Gloire sealed the victory in spectacular fashion.

The forward unleashed a powerful strike that beat Majak to restore Rayon Sports’ two-goal cushion and end any hopes of a late Jamus revival.

Muderi almost crowned a memorable evening in stoppage time, but his fierce effort crashed against the crossbar as Rayon narrowly missed adding a fourth goal.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3-1 victory for Rayon Sports, who return to the CECAFA Kagame Cup final for the first time since 2013.

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