Paul Were wins first trophy in Rwanda after Rayon Sport edge APR in Peace Cup final

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STARS ABROAD Paul Were wins first trophy in Rwanda after Rayon Sport edge APR in Peace Cup final

Joel Omotto 16:00 - 04.06.2023

The former AFC Leopards and Tusker FC winger did not feature in the match but still received a winner’s medal as his side booked a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup

Kenyan international Paul Were celebrated winning his first trophy in Rwanda after Rayon Sport edged out APR FC 1-0 in the Peace Cup final on Saturday.

Were, who joined the club in August 2022, was not involved in the match but still got his winner’s medal following the win that will see Rayon Sport represent Rwanda in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Rwanda international Eric Ngendahimana scored the lone goal in the 40th minute following a miscommunication from APR defenders to send thousands of blues fans at a packed Huye International Stadium into a frenzy.

It was the second attempt from Ngendahimana after his earlier goal had been denied for offside. There was no dispute for his second attempt, however, as he changed the tactics and scored past APR FC goalkeeper Ishimwe Jean Pirre who failed to hold a shot into the box from Congolese Heritier Luvumbu Nzinga.

APR, who won the league title last month, were the brighter side from the early exchanges as they hogged possession and threatened the Rayon Sports goal a couple of times, with forward Nshuti Innocent coming close.

However, after Rayon Sports’ goal, the contest became tight with the eventual winners employing a cautious approach to see out the game and claim the win.

It is the 10th Peace Cup for Rayon Sport who will not only represent in Africa’s second tier club competition but also earned Rwf 10 million (Ksh1.2 million) in prize money from Rwanda Football Federation for their endeavours.