Amavubi’s qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup are now seriously threatened after being held to a one all draw by Lesotho on Tuesday at the Amahoro Stadium.
Both Rwanda and Lesotho entered the game with heavy heart after a disappointing results in their previous games against Nigeria and South Africa respectively.
Rwanda fell 2-0 to Nigeria in their match day five encounter, and Lesotho also lost, going down by the same margin to South Africa.
The decider was close as both teams exhibited tough defense and intelligent play in the first half, which ended goalless because neither of them was clinical enough to take their chances.
Jojea Kwizera scored for the Amavubi in the 58th minute of the second half to send Rwanda’s hopes high for a crucial victory.
The Amavubi lead did not hold for long when Lesotho’s Lehlohonolo Fothoane scored in the 82nd minute to tie the match.
Rwanda is placed second in Group C of the qualifying standings after six matches on eight points with Benin.
With all the teams having played the same number of games, they are still ahead of fourth-placed Nigeria but five points behind group leaders South Africa, who have 13 points.
It was the two countries’ second meeting; in June, Rwanda won the first meeting 1-0.
Amavubi is deeply worried by their failure to win at home
Group standing
Joseph M. Vincent