Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, was eliminated from the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3-0 defeat to South Africa in the final group stage match played on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Mbombela Stadium.
The match, part of Group C, started with South Africa pressing early. In the 5th minute, Thalente Mbatha scored the opening goal with a powerful shot that caught Amavubi’s defense by surprise.
South Africa continued to pile pressure on Rwanda and found a second goal in the 26th minute, scored by Oswin Appolis. Although Amavubi tried to control the game towards the end of the first half, they were unable to create effective chances to equalize.
The second half began with changes for Amavubi, as the coach substituted Jojea Kwizera for Imanishimwe Emmanuel. In the 54th minute, Nshuti Innocent attempted a powerful shot, but the South African goalkeeper deflected it for a corner, which did not lead to a goal.
South Africa scored again in the 72nd minute, with a header by Evidence Makgopa following a corner kick.
These three goals gave South Africa a total of 18 points, finishing at the top of Group C and securing a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It will be their fourth appearance in the tournament, after previous qualifications in 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010.
