A dejected sports minister, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and her husband look on as Amavubi suffer a 2-0 defeat at Huye Stadium on Sunday, June 18. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Rwanda’s dream of making it to the AFCON for the second time in history came to a shocking end following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mozambique on Sunday, June 18, at Huye Stadium.
The game started at a fast pace and it was the Mozambicans who nearly got the opener through Stanley Ratifo after just five minute.
There was a mix up between goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and his central defenders in Ange Mutsinzi and Thierry Manzi. Ratifo stole the ball but ended up firing the ball off target.
Striker Innocent Nshuti with the ball during the match. The youngster almost gave his side the lead in the 35th minute but his fine shot hit the post as he tried to convert Ali Serumogo’s beautiful pass in the penalty box.
Rwanda moved forward with Muhadjiri Hakizimana opening up the Mozambican defence. He lobbed the ball from a corner to Ange Mutsinzi but the defender's free header was saved by goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal.
Ratifo began to exert his influence on the game as he played as the lone ranger upfront with direct runs to the Rwandan vital area.
The striker fired a shot from 30 yards which Ntwari comfortably saved in the 27th minute.
Rwanda came back to the game and began to dominate with good ball possession.
Rwanda's head coach, Carlos Alós Ferrer looked disappointed as Mozambican side netted the first goal in the first half at Huye Stadium.
Skipper Djihad Bizimana fired a thunderbolt from 33 yards but Mozambican goalkeeper Ivane Carminio kicked the ball in the corner.
Innocent Nshuti thought almost gave his side the lead in the 35th minute but his fine shot hit the post as he tried to convert Ali Serumogo’s beautiful pass in the penalty box.
Against the run of play, Rwanda left their back wide open and in a swift counter attack, Mozambican skipper Elias Domingues found Geny Catamo with an extraordinary pass and the attacker made no mistake by firing past Fiacre Ntwari to give the visitors the lead in the 40th minute.
Amavubi dominated possession but the Mambas of Mozambique went to recess with a 1-0 lead.
Chiquinho Conde’s men came in the second half witj so much confidence as they played tactically by spending less time on the ball.
They began to close all the spaces unlike the first half and the Rwandan defenders had little room to operate.
The Mozambicans also resorted to time wasting by falling down in the slightest contact in order to kill time from which their shot stopper Ivane Carmino was penalized with a booking as a result.
Rwanda coach Carlos Alos Ferrer brought on Abedi Biramahire, Didier Mugisha and Dominique Nshuti Savio and it was the latter who showed more urgency upfront with some good runs.
With ten minutes to go, Ali Serumogo was pulled out for Omborenga Fitina who hardly brought any influence as he struggled to make attacking runs as the Mozambicans held on until the end of the game.
Dispirited Amavubi supporters watch the game as national team is thrashed by the visiting Mozambican side.
Clesio David Bauque made it 2-0 for the Mambas with the second goal of the game in the 94th minute to send traveling supporters into frenzy.
The result saw the visitors reclaim their Group L second position with 7 points, two ahead of Benin who dropped back to third after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against table leaders Senegal in Cotonou.
While the African champions already qualified for the 2023 AFCON finals in Côte d’Ivoire Mozambique and Benin have a game between them in Maputo to decide who will grab the remaining ticket of the group.
Meanwhile, will have to wait for another edition to push for a qualification as a win by any margin against Senegal in September would do them no favor.
Madeleine Mukanemeye, a 96-year-old national football team fan, was among thousands of supporters who backed the team at Huye stadium.
A dejected sports minister, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and her husband look on as Amavubi suffer a 2-0 defeat at Huye Stadium on Sunday, June 18. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Former Senate President Bernard Makuza looking on as Amavubi were thrashed 2-0 by the visitors at Huye stadium on Sunday, June 18
National team's left-back Emmanuel Imanishimwe controls the ball as he dribbles past Mozambican midfielders during the game played at Huye Stadium in Southern Province.
A disheartened supporter with a Vuvuzera during the second half is flanked by other supporters during the game at Huye Stadium.
Thousands of national team supporters travelled to Huye to watch the game only for the home side to suffer a 2-0 defeat.
Despite the dismal performance of the national team over the past years, thousands thronged the stadium with hope for a win which ended in a disappointment.
Rwanda’s dream of making it to the AFCON for the second time in history came to a shocking end following the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mozambique on Sunday, June 18, at Huye Stadium.
Enchanted Mozambican supporters sing in joy as the visiting team shook the hosts with a 2-0 defeat.
Dispirited national team supporters watch the game.
Many left the stadium disappointed after Rwanda's dream of making it to the second finals of the continental showpiece were shattered.
Mozambique stunned Amavubi with a 2-0 win at Huye Stadium on Sunday, June 18. Courtesy
Amavubi fans in a somber mood during the game which many had thought home advantage would come in handy for the hosting side.
Supporters saw their hopes disappear as the game progressed into the second half with a goal down, before the guests doubled the lead.
Amavubi dominated possession but the Mambas of Mozambique went into half time with a 1-0 lead, which they doubled in the second half.
The mood was glum after the Amavubi defeat that dashed any hopes for the national side to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON2023).
Mozambicans back their side during the game.
One of thousands dejected Amavubi supporters who turned up to back the national team showing his dissatisfaction with the national side. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
National team's winger Ali Serumogo vies for the ball with a Mozambican player during the match.
National team striker Meddie Kagere, who was not named on the squad of the day watched the game from the pavilion. He is captured here hopelessly watching the game at Huye Stadium
Supporters saw their hopes disappear as the game progressed into the second half with a goal down, before the guests doubled the lead.
A pensive Rwanda national team defender Thierry Manzi who lost the ball leading to the second goal by the visiting side. This photo was taken after the final whistle.
The result saw the visitors reclaim their Group L second position with 7 points, two ahead of Benin who dropped back to third after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against table leaders Senegal in Cotonou.
Amavubi dominated possession but the Mambas of Mozambique went into half time with a 1-0 lead, which they doubled in the second half.
Enchanted Mozambican supporters sing in joy as the visiting team shook the hosts with a 2-0 defeat.
Mozambican player Clesio David Bauque (R) and teammates celebrate after the game. Bauque netted the second goal for the southern African side during injury time of second half, sending the visitors into a frenzy.
Mozambican supporters celebrate the 2-0 win against Rwanda. The result saw the visitors reclaim their second position in Group L with 7 points. Amavubi were left at the bottom.
The Mozambican side join their supporters in a celebration following the match in which they routed their Rwandan hosts.
Mozambicans enjoy a celebration dance after stunning Rwanda 2-0 at Huye Stadium.
The winners pose for a photos as they enjoy a celebration dance after stunning the Rwandan side 2-0 at Huye Stadium on Sunday.