Category: Sports

The hosts secured a convincing 3-1 win over South Sudan’s Jamus SC at Kigali Pele Stadium, while three-time champions Gor Mahia edged Sudan’s Al Hilal SC 8-7 on penalties after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

The victory keeps Rayon Sports’ hopes of lifting the regional title on home soil alive as they head into Friday’s final at Amahoro Stadium.

Francis Haringingo’s side continued their impressive run in the tournament, making it four wins from four matches.

Rayon Sports took control of the second semi-final early, with Akbar Muderi opening the scoring in the 17th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse.

Jamus SC responded with spells of possession but struggled to break through Rayon’s disciplined backline, while goalkeeper Dande Junior produced a crucial save before halftime to preserve the lead.

The Blues doubled their advantage in the 59th minute when 19-year-old Ibrahim Mansouru Djingarey finished calmly to send the home supporters into celebration.

Jamus pulled one back through substitute Diallo Bandiougou in the 70th minute after taking advantage of a defensive mistake, briefly reviving their hopes.

However, substitute Gloire Ngongo Tambwe put the result beyond doubt with two minutes remaining, slotting home Rayon’s third goal to seal a deserved 3-1 victory.

Speaking after the match, Rayon Sports head coach Francis Haringingo said his team is now focused on going all the way.

“I am happy that we have won all our four matches played in the tournament and this also gives us good preparations ahead of the new season,” he said.

“After reaching the final, our objective is to win the trophy.”

Earlier in the day, Gor Mahia overcame a resilient Al Hilal side in a dramatic first semi-final.

Steven Ebuela’s own goal handed the Kenyan champions the lead in the 34th minute before Ansumana Samura equalised for Al Hilal 10 minutes later.

Neither side could find a winner during regulation or extra time despite Gor Mahia playing with 10 men after Ebenezer Ocran was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Kenyan side eventually prevailed 8-7 in the penalty shootout to book their place in the final.

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor praised his players for overcoming one of the tournament favourites.

“I thank the players for playing their hearts out and winning against a strong Al Hilal team,” he said.

Friday’s final at Amahoro Stadium promises a thrilling contest between two of East Africa’s biggest clubs, with the winners set to walk away with the tournament’s top prize of $30,000 (about Rwf 44 million). The runners-up will receive $20,000 (Rwf 29 million), while the third-placed team will earn $10,000 (Rwf 15 million).

The global football governing body issued the statement on Friday after the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF rejected plans that could allow private investors to acquire a minority stake in a new commercial venture known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The backlash has intensified into one of the biggest governance disputes in recent FIFA history, with confederations representing 143 of FIFA’s 211 member associations now opposing the proposal.

UEFA, which represents 55 national associations, warned that none of its member nations would take part in FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeds.

In a strongly worded statement, European football’s governing body said the World Cup “cannot be treated as an investment product” and accused FIFA of developing the proposal without meaningful consultation.

“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety,” UEFA said.

CONCACAF, which represents 41 member associations across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also rejected the proposal, while the AFC, representing 47 associations, called for an urgent review of FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes.

The AFC said proposals of such global significance should be developed through “transparent governance, timely consultation, informed deliberation and genuine participation.”

FIFA, however, insisted the proposal has been misunderstood and denied suggestions that it was seeking to sell ownership of football’s flagship tournaments.

“We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise and would like to address the issues that have surfaced,” FIFA said.

The organisation maintained that FFE is intended to give member associations greater opportunities to benefit from football’s commercial growth.

“FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries,” the statement said.

“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain.”

Despite the widespread criticism, FIFA said it would proceed with a consultation process, arguing that all member associations should have the opportunity to examine the proposal before making a decision.

The controversy deepened further after Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a former president of the United States Soccer Federation, resigned in protest.

“As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro said.

“I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for FIFA’s Member Associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.”

The proposed commercial venture has reportedly attracted interest from an investor group led by Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, with plans to acquire a minority stake should the project receive approval.

Critics argue that bringing private investors into FIFA competitions would fundamentally change the governance of world football by placing commercial returns ahead of sporting interests. They also fear investor pressure could encourage FIFA to stage larger and more frequent international tournaments, placing additional strain on domestic leagues and players.

With Europe’s governing body threatening to boycott FIFA competitions and support for the proposal weakening across multiple confederations, the governing body’s plans now face their most significant challenge since they were first revealed.

For now, FIFA insists the consultation process will continue, but the growing resistance suggests any attempt to reshape the commercial future of the World Cup is likely to face a difficult path.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the 37-year-old former Indianapolis Colts linebacker was removed from the country on June 20 following an immigration judge’s removal order issued in late March.

According to ICE, Adongo remained in the United States after his visa expired in 2016, a year after his NFL career came to an end.

The agency also cited his criminal record, saying he was convicted of misdemeanor criminal mischief involving property damage in 2020. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail but ultimately served about six months after receiving credit for time already spent in custody.

ICE further noted that Adongo had previously faced other charges, including felony intimidation, battery and disorderly conduct, although court records show those cases were dismissed without convictions.

Adongo shot to international fame in 2013 when the Indianapolis Colts signed him despite having no previous experience playing American football. Having transitioned from rugby, he became the first Kenyan to reach the NFL, a milestone that inspired many aspiring athletes back home.

His NFL career, however, lasted just two seasons before he was released by the Colts in 2015.

The Indianapolis Star previously reported that Adongo had multiple encounters with law enforcement during and after his football career. The newspaper also said court records showed he had at times been found incompetent to stand trial, with his attorney raising concerns that he may have suffered a traumatic brain injury during his rugby and football career.

In August 2020, disturbing videos circulated showing a visibly unkempt and disheveled Daniel Adongo with nose piercings, smoking and talking to himself. The footage sparked widespread shock and concern in Kenya about his well-being.

Former Kenya 15s rugby international Ken Thimba described Adongo’s return as a dramatic turn for an athlete who once symbolized hope for Kenyan talent on the global stage.

“Adongo’s return to Kenya marks a dramatic change in the journey of an athlete who was once celebrated as a symbol of hope and opportunity for Kenyan talent on the global stage,” Thimba said.

He said moving from rugby to American football requires more than physical ability.

“Physically, rugby players have a strong foundation: tackling, spatial awareness, aggression and conditioning. That part translates. But the NFL is a system-heavy sport, highly specialised and highly technical. Every role is precise. In rugby, you read the game. In the NFL, you execute within a system, repeatedly, under pressure.”

“The real transition is not physical. It is mental discipline and technical adaptation. It is like learning a new language,” he added, suggesting Adongo may have struggled with the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with competing in the NFL.

Adongo’s deportation comes as the Trump administration continues a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants. ICE said his latest detention fell under the Laken Riley Act, legislation requiring authorities to detain undocumented immigrants arrested, charged or convicted of certain theft-related offenses. Critics of the law argue it weakens due process protections for immigrants accused, but not convicted, of crimes.