Rwanda produced a superb first-half display to defeat South Africa 2-0 in their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Huye Stadium on Tuesday.
Having drawn their opening Group C match 0-0 against Zimbabwe, Amavubi under new coach Torsten Spittler took the initiative to get their first win and they were rewarded with goals from Innocent Nshuti in the 12th minute and Gilbert Mugisha in the 28th minute to silence the visiting side.
It was Amavubi who settled quickly into the game and they almost took the lead with only six minutes played when Lague Byiringiro evaded his marker to meet a cross from Djihad Bizimana but the former failed to hit the target as his weak effort was stopped by Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
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However, it did not take Rwanda long to take the lead as Innocent Nshuti found himself in the right place in the 12th minute to stab home a cross from Byiringiro. The goal rejuvenated the Amavubi, who were spurred by their home fans, and it should have been 2-0 in the 18th minute when Nshuti laid a neat pass to Kevin Muhire but the advancing Williams came out quickly to gather the ball.
Ten minutes later, Rwanda stretched their lead when Gilbert Mugisha powered home using his right foot off a cross from Ange Mutsinzi. The goal stunned the Hugo Broos-led Bafana, who had kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 victory against Benin. Nshuti and Mugisha were the first Rwanda players to go into the referees’ book following clumsy tackles and South Africa’s best chance of the game to reduce the deficit came in the 34th minute but Percy Tau drilled his effort off inches wide.
At the start of the second, Rwanda coach Spittler, who had been yellow-carded for arguing with the referee, brought in Patrick Sibomana for Lague Byiringiro while Broos rested Bongokuhle Hlongwane for Zakhele Lepasa. There were more changes for Rwanda with Bienvenue Mugenzi coming in for goalscorer Nshuti while Claude Niyomugabo came in for another goal scorer Mugisha. Meanwhile, South Africa brought in Oswin Reagan Appollis to replace Sphephelo Sithole.
The victory saw Rwanda move top of the group on four points, Bafana dropped to second on three points, Nigeria, who are winless from two matches, are third on two, Lesotho fourth on two, Zimbabwe fifth on two while Benin are last on one point.
Rwanda starting XI: Fiacre Ntwari, Fitina Ombolenga, Thierry Manzi, Thierry Manzi, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Djihad Bizimana, Kevin Muhire, Olivier Niyonzima, Gilbert Mugisha, Innocent Nshuti and Lague Byiringiro.
Subs: Maxime Wenssens, Gad Muhawenayo, Claude Niyomugabo, Ally Serumogo, Abdul Rwatubyaye, Isaac Mitima, Patrick Sibomana, Hakim Sahabo, Jean Bosco Ruboneka, Bonheur Mugisha, Arthur Gitego, Bienvenue Mugenzi.
South Africa XI: Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Maphosa Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Mihlali Mayambela.
Subs: Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss, Nyiko Mobbie, Tapelo Xoki, Bradley Cross, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Jayden Adams, Oswin Reagan Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Elias Mokwana and Zakhele Lepasa.