Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler had admitted to being surprised by the 2-0 scoreline against South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture at Huye Stadium on Tuesday.
Having drawn their opening Group C match 0-0 against Zimbabwe, Amavubi under new coach 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 and earn their first win in a competitive match since March 24, 2021.
“Frankly, I never expected it will be so fast, they have grabbed what I taught them. I am surprised about the scoreline and how they played,” Spittler told the press after the game as quoted by Times Sport, adding: “I cannot say we are there yet because we won just one game. There is still more that my players need to learn. Olivier Niyonzima was marvellous, he marshalled the midfield so well.”
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He continued: “I have a great captain in the person of Djihad Bizimana. He organised the team very well. He is my mouthpiece on the field and he tells the players what I want them to do. Also, our goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari is very calm but have a big positive influence. He makes sure everyone does his job at the back,” he said of the duo.”
The victory helped Rwanda move top of the Group C 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.