Police FC beat Bugesera FC 2-1 in a keenly contested final on Wednesday, May 1, to win the 2023-24 Peace Cup, their first since 2015.

It was a game full of nerve wrecking moments at Kigali Pele Stadium as Police FC survived a late scare from Bugesera FC to end the season with a trophy which earned them a ticket to the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup.

It was the best gift Vincent Mashami had to give his employers after a terrible Primus National League campaign. Led by Peace Cup serial winner Francis Haringingo, Bugesera FC, who went into the final as underdogs, started the game aggressively as they pushed for an early opener. The Nyamata-based side had the first chance after six minutes of action as Elijah Ani’s header from Faustin Niyomukiza cross missed the post by inches.

Haringingo’s side posed a couple of more attacking threats against Police FC as Farouk Ssentongo was beautifully played through by Augustin Kaneza but his effort missed the target to the relief of the Rayon fans.

Again, in a swift counter attack in the 23rd minute, Ssentongo found Ani with a sublime pass but goalkeeper Onesime Rukundo timed the ball well and saved the striker’s shot.

Police FC had their first major chance in the 26th minute when Didier Mugisha drifted right and controlled the ball and prevented it from crossing the line. He found Muhadjiri Hakizimana who turned his marker inside out but saw his strike going off target.