Meca FC, a Burundian football academy, secured victory in the inaugural Orange Youth Cup tournament held in Bugesera, Rwanda. The tournament, organized by “Play for Hope” in collaboration with Rwandan second-tier side Heroes FC, featured nine teams in the U18 category and nine teams in the U15 category.
In the U18 final, Meca FC defeated Rwanda’s United Eagles 2-0, with goals from Mbalo Demba and Amissi Rukundo. Love for Hope emerged victorious in the U15 category by defeating United Eagles 2-1, with Irie Niyonkuru and Clement Sibomana scoring for the champions and Jean Claude Niyimana netting a consolation for Love of Hope.
Rodrigue Girumugisha, captain of Meca FC and the tournament’s most outstanding player, expressed the benefits of the competition for himself and his team. He revealed his dream of playing for Rwandan club APR FC in the future, citing Burundi international Saido Ntibazonkiza as his inspiration.
The champions in each category received trophies, jerseys, medals, and balls, while the runners-up were awarded balls and medals.
The Orange Youth Cup tournament aims to nurture young football talent for the future and promote unity among young Rwandans. Organizers plan to make the competition an annual event, with the participation of more foreign teams in the future.
Fidele Kanamugire, the lead organizer of the tournament, highlighted the importance of providing young players with opportunities to develop their football talent through competitions.
Source: The New Times
