Sunday Rwanda 1-1 Kenya

The national football team, Amavubi failed to make the most of home advantage after being held by Kenya’s Harambee Stars to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier ON Sunday, September 5 at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo.

Kenya scored first in the ninth minute through Captain Michel Olunga but Abdul Rwatubyaye equalised for the hosts in the 21st minute of the match with a brilliant sole effort.

The first half saw both teams have few chances as the Harambee Stars controlled possession without any real threat while the hosts were happy to sit back.

Vincent Mashami was forced to make an early substitution in the 29th minute after Lague Byiringiro got an injury. He was replaced by Meddie Kagere.

It was more or less of the same story in the second period with Kenya having a chance three minutes into the restart. Olunga picked up a long ball inside the box but his shot on the turn under pressure from a defender was weak.

But the Amavubi were the more attacking side and they came close with Meddie Kagere’s curling effort from Captain Haruna Niyonzima’s free-kick in the 65th minute missing the target by a whisker.

Jacques Tuyisenge then forced a fine save off the Kenyan keeper at his near post after skipping away from his markers on the right before shooting at goal.

Mali who will face Uganda on Monday, are early leaders in the group after their 1-0 win over Rwanda while Kenya has two points, Uganda and Rwanda have one point respectively.

Only the top team will progress to the third and final round.

In the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, Rwanda make Group E along with Mali, Uganda and Kenya. Only the top team will progress to the third and final round.

Rwanda is placed bottom among the four Group E teams in the latest Fifa rankings, and will be hoping to have a better campaign after failing to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.