Rayon Sports will resume their suspended league match against Bugesera FC under challenging circumstances, as the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has ordered the game to continue behind closed doors following crowd trouble that led to its abandonment.
The fixture, originally played at Bugesera Stadium, was halted in the 57th minute with the home side leading 2-0. Tensions flared after a series of contentious refereeing decisions angered visiting Rayon fans, who responded by throwing objects onto the pitch in protest.
Bugesera took the lead early in the game through a 13th-minute strike by Farouk Sentongo. Rayon tried to regain control and dominated possession in the second half, but they struggled to break down Bugesera’s defense.
Controversy erupted in the 53rd minute when Rayon were denied what they believed to be a clear penalty after Abeddy Biramahire was brought down inside the box.
Just two minutes later, referee Patrick Ngaboyisonga awarded a penalty to Bugesera following a counter-attack, which Umar Abba calmly converted to double the lead.
That decision triggered outrage among Rayon supporters, whose protests forced the match officials to call off the game due to security concerns.
In response, FERWAFA has ruled that the match will resume on Wednesday, May 21, at 4:00 PM, but with strict limitations.
“The postponed match will resume on May 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM, and will continue from the minute it was stopped. It will be played behind closed doors, with only the following officials allowed to attend: the full club committee and the honorary president,” stated FERWAFA Secretary General Adolphe Kalisa in an official letter.
“The match will resume with the same players who were on the pitch and listed on the match sheet. The scoreline will remain, the match will be played at the same stadium, and the match officials will not change.”
With Bugesera holding a 2-0 advantage and the momentum disrupted, Rayon now face an uphill task. Not only must they overturn a two-goal deficit in just over 30 minutes of resumed play, but they must also do so without the energy and presence of their passionate fan base.
The match comes at a critical point in the season, with Rayon chasing league leaders APR FC, who currently top the table with 61 points, two ahead of Rayon.
APR extended their lead after a 1-0 win over Gorilla FC, a game that itself drew criticism for a debatable penalty awarded to the army side.
Rayon will need focus, discipline, and sharp execution to salvage the fixture and keep their title hopes alive. With no crowd, no margin for error, and growing scrutiny on officiating, the stage is set for a tense conclusion to one of the season’s most talked-about encounters.
