Martha Ayuro
13 July 2009
Khartoum — Tournament surprise package Atraco Fc, are the 2009 Kagame Cup Championship winners. Coach Sam Timbe's troops beat home side El Merreikh 1-0 last night at the El Merreikh stadium.
Hamis Kitagenda was the hero of the day scoring the sole goal in the 15th minute after some clever ball work by striking partner André Lomami.
Kitagenda, who finished the tournament as Atraco's top scorer, released a hard shot from outside the box to beat El Merreikh custodian Mohamed Kamal for his fourth goal.
Cheered on by Sports Minister Joseph Habineza, the Rwandan champions stood firm, defending in numbers and giving the home side no chance.
Defender Godfrey Kateregga cleared out of danger a goal bound Indorance Idahor headed ball at the stroke of half time.
Man of the Match Jean Luc Ndayishimiye kept Atraco in the game in the early stages of the second half with two beautiful saves from Idahor and Lassana Fana.
It was a case of team work that saw Atraco become the third Rwanda team to win the Kagame Cup after Rayon Sport and APR.
It was also Timbe's third Kagame Club Championship trophy after winning it with SC Villa (2005) and Police FC (2006). He becomes the first man to win three regional club titles with three different clubs.
"I am so happy with this win because we started badly in the tournament," said Timbe. Kenyan vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and his counterpart from the Sudan Republic Nafih Ali Nafih also attended the game.
On top of the trophy, Atraco took the winner's cash prize of $50,000 (Rwf28 million) while El Merreikh walked away with $30,000 (Rwf11 million) for finishing second.
Meanwhile, in the play-off game played earlier guest side TP Mazembe beat Kenya's Matahre United 2-0 to win bronze and bag the $20,000 at stake.
Mkulukuta Miala and Kaliyutuka Dioko scored for the TP Mazembe side who are also in the group stage of th lucrative MTN Champions League.
Atraco line-up: Jean Luc Ndayishimiye, Godfrey Kateregga, Peter Kagabo (Abed Mulenda), Alimansi Kadogo, Aloua Gaseruka, Amani Uwiringiyimana , Johnson Bagoole, Peter Kagabo, Jean Shyaka (Capt), Andrew Lomami, Hamis Kitagenda, Donatien Tuyizere (Mike Ssebalinga)
Final
Atraco Fc 1-0 El Merreikh
Play-off
TP Mazembe 2-0 Mathare Utd
Kagame-Cecafa Cup winners
1999 - Yanga FC (Tanzania)
2000 - Tusker FC (Kenya)
2001 - Tusker FC (Kenya)
2002 - Simba FC (Tanzania)
2003 - SC Villa (Uganda)
2004 - APR (Rwanda)
2005 - SC Villa (Uganda)
2006 - Police FC (Uganda)
2007 - APR (Rwanda)
2008 - Tusker FC (Kenya)
2009 - Atraco FC (Rwanda)
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