Striker Innocent Nshuti showed grit and power as he bundled home a Djihad Bizimana cross in the 47th minute to rescue a point for Rwanda in a hard fought 1-1 draw with Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Tripoli on Wednesday, September 4.
It was a tale of two halves at the June 11 Stadium as the Mediterranean Knights were the better side in the first half before Frank Spittler's Amavubi came back strongly to take control of the second half.
After ealry exchanges, it took only four minutes for Jojea Kwizera to break loose on the right. He whipped in a cross, but Innocent Nshuti arrived late, missing the chance to give the visitors an early lead.
Libya responded quickly by initiating a quick counterattack. Nourredine El Gleib went past Thierry Manzi but quick thinking from shot stopper Fiacre Ntwari saved the danger in the sixth minute.
Nshuti could have shot Rwanda ahead in the 10th minute after he pounced on a defensive blunder, Wuhayshi stretched his legs wide as he saved his strike.
ALSO READ: AFCON 2025 dates announced
Rwanda had the first corner of the game in the 12th minute as Gilbert Mugisha&039;s cut in strike was parried by goalkeeper Wuhayshi and the resultant kick was wasted.
Amavubi looked more aggressive in the first 15 minutes, and they never cared playing before the crowd at the 45,000-capacity June 11 Stadium.
But it was the home side who took the lead as Al Dawi shot them ahead in the 16th minute with a fantastic strike as he took the ball around the 18-yard box and weaved through the Rwandan defense before firing past Ntwari for the opener.
Amavubi stayed calm and, after conceding the goal, they decided to attack the Libyans. A beautiful pass from Mugisha saw Claude Niyomugabo running into the opponent vital area, he delivered a good cross, but Bizimana wasn't on alert as he just hit his connection wide.
Spittler brought Samuel Gueulette for Jojea Kwizera in the 40th minute as the winger looked lost in his game plan.
Kevin Muhire, who was attacking from the wing, saw goalkeeper Wuhayshi off his line in the 43rd minute and hit an unexpected shot which narrowly missed the target to the relief of the home fans.
The first half ended with 1-0 lead in favor of Libya.
Spittler's halftime talk changed the game right after the pair return to action in the half.
Rwanda responded immediately after the break with their first attack of the second half after Bizimana drifted wide to the right, delivered a fine cross into the Libyan penalty box in which Innocent Nshuti bundled home for the equalizer in the 47th minute.
It was an end-to-end affair, but the Libyans had a host of decent chances in the 53rd and 55th minute but failed to utilize it.
Coach Spittler brought on Bonheur Mugisha for Steve Rubanguka in the 65th minute, looking to strengthen his defensive midfield.
Rwanda could have made it 2-1 in the 68th minute but Nshuti failed to connect the rebound after goalkeeper Muhayshi spilled Gilbert Mugisha's shot from the left.
With 10 minutes to full time, Spittler brought on Didier Mugisha and Jean Bosco Ruboneka for Gilbert Mugisha and Nshuti respectively. The Police FC forward moved to a central striking role while Ruboneka came to add bite to the midfield.
Amavubi were made to thank Ntwari who pulled a great save to deny Gleib the winner in the 88th as he had to come out of his line to thwart the effort of the striker who had latched onto a through ball.
Both teams switched to a defensive approach in the dying minutes as the game ended 1-1, a result that didn't taste badly for Spittler and his side.
Rwanda will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at Amahoro Stadium on September 10 while Libya will travel to face Benin for the second match day of the qualifiers.