APR FC were crowned 2026 Peace Cup champions after defeating Rayon Sports 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in a tense final played on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Amahoro Stadium.
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The highly anticipated clash attracted thousands of supporters, with Rayon Sports heading into the final full of confidence under head coach Haringingo Francis Christian, who had inspired belief among the club’s faithful since taking charge.
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Rayon Strike First, APR Fight Back
Rayon Sports took the lead in the first half through Ndikumana Asman, sending their fans into celebration and putting APR under pressure.
However, APR responded strongly after the break, with William Togui Mel finding the equalizer in the second half to level the score at 1-1. Both sides pushed for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
APR held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties to Rayon’s two to lift the trophy in dramatic fashion.
Taleb Praises Team Spirit and Tactical Discipline
Speaking after the victory, APR head coach Taleb Abderrahim praised his players for their discipline and resilience. He also extended gratitude to senior officials who have consistently supported the team, including Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Brig Gen Deo Rusanganwa, Maj Kavuna Elias, and the entire leadership structure behind the club.
Taleb highlighted APR’s preparation and tactical understanding of their rivals, saying his side controlled the game for most of the 90 minutes and created the clearer scoring opportunities.
He also revealed that penalty shootouts had been intensively practiced for three consecutive days, with the selected takers proving their quality in training.
Sharp Words for Rayon as APR Complete Domestic Double
The APR coach did not hold back when reflecting on his team’s dominance over Rayon Sports, noting that previous victories over the club had often been followed by managerial changes.
He stated that apart from taking an early lead, Rayon offered little threat and that APR had already anticipated their tactical approach, which was addressed at half-time.
Taleb also acknowledged the competitive spirit of the derby, describing it as a match built through conversations in cafés, media discussions, and fan debates—but ultimately decided on the pitch.
The victory completes a remarkable domestic double for APR FC, who had already secured the 2025/26 Rwanda Premier League title as the highest-ranked Rwandan club. Meanwhile, Al Hilal SC claimed the Championship of Honour Cup after finishing top overall in the league standings.
