Play For Hope

We reached the exciting conclusion of our tournament this past weekend.  We were able to play the matches on the turf fields just outside of the national stadium thanks to our partnership with a team in the Rwandan 2nd division called Gasabo United.  We were honored to have both the Head Coach of the U17 Rwandan National Team and the Vice President of the Rwanda Football Federation watch our matches and encourage our children. We had large crowds gather in the afternoons for our matches.

While the three boys matches were relatively drama free, the girls match was absolutely incredible.  I have personally never seen a better match in Rwanda both in terms of excitement and how well the girls played.  Even the crowd who in the past I had seen mocking girls was cheering them on and gasping at every missed shot.  After a hard fought battle, including extra time, the match was tied 3-3.  In the end our girls team Imbaraga triumphed over the newly formed Mission FC.  Personally I could not be prouder of Mission FC who I have been able to help train and watch grow over the past 6 months.  They have come from many of them barely being able to dribble a ball and being very hard to a joyous group of girls that play well together and truly made a play for the cup in our tournament.  Check out pictures below.

The cups being competed for.

Boys Under 14 before the match

Boys Under 21 Match

Boys Under 17 Match

Girls Match

Setting up for the PKs

The keeper getting ready

Imbaraga coach and captain hoisting the trophy after the big win!