Zambian side Red Arrows FC are the champions of the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup champions.Arrows defeated APR FC of Rwanda 10-9 in penalty shootouts during the final after the match had ended 1-1 in 120 minutes at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.APR FC’s goalkeeper Pavelh Ndizila rescued his side early after only 7 minutes when he stopped penalty kick by Ciel Ebengo Ngwenya.Antony Shipanuka had been brought down in the box, and the referee Ahmed Arajiga from Tanzania pointed straight to the spot.##NAJAVA_MECA_6024##Ricky Banda gave Arrows the lead in the 72 minutes after APR defenders failed to quickly clear a ball out of danger.Mamadou Sy leveled matters for APR with a well taken strike two minutes into added time. The extra 30 minutes produced no goals as the match headed to penalty kicks.All the 10 Red Arrows players converted their penalty kicks, while APR’s nine players converted. Arsene Tuyisenge was unfortunate to fly his kick over the bar.Tusker ties experienced duo to new dealsInterestingly, Arrows were in the same group with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia whom they beat 1-0 in the opening game. The team lost its second group stage game 5-0 to Sudanese giants Al Hilal but despite the setback, they made to the knockout stage and sailed all the way to the final. Fifpro calls for mental healthy pre-season screening in women footballIn an earlier third place play-off Hilal beat Hay Al Wadi 3-2 in penalty shootout after the match had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.Besides the trophy and medals, the champions walked away with US$30,000, while the runner-up bagged silver medals and US$20,000, and the third placed US$10,000. Rwanda President Paul Kagame provided the US$60,000 cash prize.
