Amahoro Stadium came alive on Sunday night as the CECAFA Kagame Cup Group C action got underway, with home favorites Rayon Sports and Sudanese giants Al Hilal both recording sharp 2–0 victories to take early control of the group.
Al Hilal were the first to make their mark, surviving a spirited performance from Kenya’s Tusker FC. The Sudanese side drew first blood in the 29th minute when defender Kamaradini Mamudu pounced on a loose defensive setup, sending a deflected effort past Tusker goalkeeper Brandon Obiero.
Tusker refused to lie down. Captain Aboud Omar tested Al Hilal’s Soufiane Farid Quedraogo three separate times with curling free-kicks, but the goalkeeper stood tall. With Tusker throwing bodies forward late into stoppage time in search of an equalizer, Al Hilal caught them cold on a swift counter-attack, with substitute Salim Adams coolly tucking away a second in the 95th minute.
Speaking after the final whistle, Al Hilal head coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu acknowledged his squad is still finding its groove.
“We are just coming off a short holiday, so the players aren’t at full match fitness yet,” Bukasa noted. “Getting three points in an opener under these conditions is exactly what we needed.”
Second-Half Spark Lifts Rayon Sports
In the late kickoff, the Gikundiro faithful had to exercise patience before their team broke down a disciplined KVZ FC side from Zanzibar. KVZ’s compact mid-block frustrated Rayon throughout a scoreless first half, but the persistent pressure paid off in the 67th minute when Rayon earned a penalty inside the box. Substitute Junior Herman Kameni stepped up to send KVZ keeper Hamad Ubwa Hamad the wrong way.
Rayon players celebrating after scoring.
Driven on by a raucous home crowd, Rayon doubled their lead ten minutes from time. Daniel Muhoza reacted fastest to a loose ball in the final third, slotting home to secure the win and put Rayon level with Al Hilal at the top of Group C.
Looking Ahead to Monday & Tuesday
With Group C underway, action shifts back to Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo for a massive Group A doubleheader on Monday afternoon:
Gor Mahia vs. Vipers SC at 4:00 PM CAT: A battle for control of Group A after both regional giants claimed heavy opening-day wins.
FC Garde Républicaine will take on APR FC (7:00 PM CAT): Hosts APR FC look to bounce back in front of their home supporters following a tough opening loss to Gor Mahia.
On Tuesday, Group B returns to the pitch at Kigali Pelé Stadium:
Mogadishu City Club will take on Singida Black Stars (4:00 PM CAT): Both teams hunt for their first points of the campaign.
In the other match, Jamus SC will face off with Simba SC (7:00 PM CAT): South Sudan’s Jamus SC aim to build on their impressive opening win when they meet Tanzanian powerhouse Simba.
