But if you have a slightly high affinity for local or regional football, you are definitely aware that this year's edition of the CECAFA Kagame Cup final game will be played today Sunday July 21, 2024 at KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at 6:00pm (EAT).
For those who may not know, the CECAFA Kagame Cup is an annual football club competition for teams in East and Central Africa. Sometimes guest teams from countries outside the region are also invited.
Ideally, the tournament brings together champions from respective National Football Leagues and acts as a platform for building camaraderie among teams from different countries.
Named after Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who is a significant sponsor, the tournament benefits from financial support that ensures its continuity from various partners.
Ironically today, the final game is between Rwanda's Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) Football Club and guest side Red Arrows FC of Zambia.
One thing is clear; - Passionate APR FC fans want to see their team replicate a tough contest like displayed while stopping Al Hilal 5-4 on penalty shootouts in the semi-final played at the same venue as today's game.
Surprisingly, most other football enthusiasts who support local rival clubs seem to rally behind APR FC, at least today, in the spirit of national solidarity.
More surprisingly though, the ordinary citizen with limited knowledge about Rwandan football will today also confess to supporting APR FC because of the country's special attachment to the tournament.
Therefore, it seems to me that the trickiest time to be Rwandan in the world of football, is when APR FC plays in the CECAFA Kagame Cup Final.
Having won the regional Cup three times, APR FC have reached the final without losing a match. The Zambia Premier League reigning champions suffered a 5-0 defeat to Al Hilal in a Group match a few days ago.
Despite the display of a good fighting spirit from start to the final including a notable performance against Ugandan giants SC Villa, APR needs to remember that they are still caught in a web of uncertainty.
They still have to go past Allasane Diarra, a young lad who scored Red Arrows' second goal to scoop the Man of the match Award in the Semi Final that brought them here.
APR FC have to remember that the tournament has seen periods of dominance by a few clubs, particularly from Tanzania and Uganda, and it's now their time to act.
They should remember that the tournament aims to develop football in the region by giving clubs international exposure and competition, and should not hesitate to utilize the opportunity.
Do not underestimate the platform to showcase local talent, potentially leading to opportunities for players to move to bigger clubs or leagues.
Even if you don't win, don't forget that this tournament is a tool for regional integration and cooperation, promoting unity through sports.
Do not ignore the fact that with the progressive level of development by individual national leagues in the region, the CECAFA Kagame Cup is slowly navigating its way into more prestigious continental tournaments like the CAF Champions League.
This can be a double-edged sword, as while it promotes individual player development, it can also lead to talent and financial development where local leagues connect their best players to more lucrative opportunities
But most importantly, remember that the champions will pocket US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000, and the third placed US$10,000.
Sam K Nkurunziza
Source : https://en.igihe.com/opinion/article/apr-fc-and-the-paradox-of-the-cecafa-kagame-cup
