Rwanda secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash, bouncing back from their narrow defeat to Nigeria the previous weekend.
The win was a much-needed boost for the Amavubis, who had been determined to regain momentum in the group standings.
The match was tightly contested, with both sides creating sporadic chances in the first half.
However, it was Rwanda who broke the deadlock just before the interval. Gilbert Mugisha stepped up for a stunning free-kick, curling the ball past the Zimbabwean goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead heading into halftime.
Despite Zimbabwe attempting to fight back in the second half, they were unable to find a way past Rwanda’s resilient defense.
The Amavubis held firm, denying the visitors any clear opportunities, and the match ended without further goals.
The victory propels Rwanda above Nigeria in the group standings, moving into third place with 11 points.
The win is a significant morale boost for the team as they continue to pursue World Cup qualification, showing their ability to recover quickly after setbacks.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, who suffered last weekend’s defeat to Rwanda, remain in the hunt but now find themselves 10 points ahead of their upcoming match in South Africa.
The Super Eagles will need to regroup and focus on maintaining their advantage in the group.
Later tonight, the group action continues with a key encounter as Benin Republic, currently second with 11 points, host Lesotho.
The outcome of that match could further shake up the standings and intensify the race for qualification in the remaining fixtures.
