Can Rayon Sport and Gor Mahia rewrite history in the Kagame Cup?

Tuesday August 4, 2026

• Rayon Sport vs Jamus – 8pm

• Gor Mahia vs Al Hilal – 4pm

Former champions Gor Mahia and Rayon Sport seek to re-write history when they battle Al Hilal and Jamus in the Cecafa Kagame Cup 2026 respectively.

Rayon Sport have not played in the final since 1998 when they became the first Rwandan side to lift the regional club title.

However, their last appearance in the semi-final was in 2013 when they finished fourth after losing to Al Merriekh of Sudan.

In 1998, they defeated Zanzibar’s Mlandege in the final and will look to get to the final to meet either Gor Mahia or Al Hilal.

Emmanuel Nshimiyimana, the captain of Rayon Sport reiterated the need to make history.

“When we talk amongst ourselves and the coach, the goal is to re-write history. Many of the members of the squad were not even born when the title was won,” he told media. “We also want to win the trophy for Rwanda and make sure it stays in the country,” he added.

For Gor Mahia, this is the best opportunity to return to the final since 2015 when they lost to Azam in the final minutes in Dar es Salaam at the National stadium.

K’Ogalo have won three Kagame Cup titles but the most recent was in 1985 having won the other two trophies in 1980 and 1981.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Jamus who face an uphill task against the 1998 winners want to get into their first final and probably win their first regional title.

In doing so, they will become the first South Sudan side to achieve the feat.

For Al Hilal, it is a chance to play a second successive final after they lost to Singida Black Stars in last year’s final.

They also want to emulate compatriots Al Merrikh who have won this trophy three times in 1986, 1994 and 2014.

Read the full article on Kawowo.