After initially stating that they were not ready to replay the Peace Cup semi-final match against Mukura VS, Rayon Sports later reconsidered and agreed to return to Huye to continue the match, which had been stopped in the 27th minute due to inadequate lighting in the stadium.
This decision came following an in-depth assessment by the club’s management, which outlined five main reasons behind their change of heart:
- Promoting Peace
Rayon Sports emphasized that their decision was driven by the core objective of the Peace Cup — to promote peace through sports. The club chose to prioritize calm and avoid unnecessary conflict. - Pursuing Justice and Professionalism
Despite expressing dissatisfaction with FERWAFA’s decision, Rayon Sports stated they are hopeful that the errors made will not be repeated. They affirmed that their legal team would continue to contribute constructive feedback for the betterment of Rwandan football. - Challenging FERWAFA’s Unfair Decisions
Rayon Sports criticized the federation’s decision-making process, saying it lacked strong legal grounds. They insisted that rules should be applied equally, without favoritism. - Holding FERWAFA Accountable to Its Responsibilities
Citing Article 38.5 of FERWAFA’s competition regulations, the club demanded that the federation cover all necessary expenses related to the replay of the match, including accommodation and transportation. - Reimbursement of Lost Expenses
According to information obtained by UMUSEKE, one of the key reasons Rayon Sports decided to return was FERWAFA’s agreement to reimburse all the costs the club had incurred while preparing for the initial match.
Although Rayon Sports disagreed with how the situation was handled, they chose to continue participating in the tournament in a constructive manner, setting an example by prioritizing peace and the advancement of sports in Rwanda.
