Wednesday | November 22, 2023

Rwanda shocked South Africa (SA) with a 2-0 win at a waterlogged Stade Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda, on Tuesday 21, 2023.

Playing just a few minutes after heavy rain, the Rwandans struck early in the first half with Innocent Nahuti (12’) and Gilbert Mugisha (28’).

SA tried without success to claw back in the second when puddles of water were reduced allowing them to knit play which was hard at the beginning of the match.

The three-point victory in FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) 2026 World Cup Qualifier sent the Rwandas on top of Group C with four points from two games.

Meanwhile South Africa dropped maximum points away to open the lead after their win over Benin the past weekend. Now, Rwanda’s win blew the group wide open for the number one spot for the six contesting countries.

Lesotho was held in Durban where they hosted Benin in the same group. They sit on two points after their first draw with Nigeria who also drew in their second game against Zimbabwe last Sunday.

Therefore, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Lesotho gained two points from their two fixtures to date. Benin lies at the bottom of this group with merely a point.

The team that finishes with more points in these group stages after home-and-away matches qualifies automatically to go to the world cup in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.