Al Mesmary’s late strike dents Rwanda’s AFCON hopes

Substitute Al Mesmary put Rwanda's AFCON 2025 qualification in jeopardy as his late winner propelled Libya to a shock 1-0 win over Amavubi during Thursday’s qualifier at Amahoro Stadium. Amavubi let their dream of making it to Morocco after 20 years almost fade out after slipping to a defeat on their own turf leaving thousands of spectators dejected. A minute of silence was observed for late Anne Mponimpa, a former official who in charge of Women's Football at FERWAFA. She passed away on Saturday, November 9. Rwanda had the first chance of the game after six minutes of action. A sweet buildup between Gilbert Mugisha and Emmanuel Imanishimwe saw the latter firing a superb volley which goalkeeper Murad Abu Bakr punched over the cross bar. Two minutes later, Mugisha again had a glorious chance as he shot from the edge of the box but his strike was again saved by Abu Bakr. ALSO READ: AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Things to know about Libyan team ahead of Rwanda qualifier Rwanda were dominating possession as they kept creating chances. Samuel Gueulette had a great header from an Omborenga Fitina cross missed target narrowly in the 14th minute to the relief of the Libyan fans. The visitors got their first goal scoring chance in the 16th minute as they made a swift move from the right, Fiacre Ntwari, however, saved Nuradin Elgalib's feeble short. Jojea Kwizera latched onto a ball on the right side of attack; he found skipper Djihad Bizimana who was already inside the penalty box but there was no one to connect the captain's cross as it went across the phase of goal in the 30th minute. Ange Mutsinzi missed an empty net in the 43rd minute, failing to convert Bizimana’s cross from the corner. He shot wide to the dismay of the home fans. Amavubi had three corners in the two minutes of injury time added to the first half but the Libyans were resolute as they defended gallantly until the end of the first half. Rwanda coach Frank Spittler made double substitution before the second hald, bringing on Olivier Dushimimana and Kevin Muhire for Samuel Gueulette and Jojea Kwizera respectively as he sought to beef up the midfield and make the wings sharp. Amavubi were wasteful in attack as the two substitutes missed two glorious chances in the 48th and 50th minutes. Thierry Manzi was the next culprit as he shot a clear chance over the bar in the 54th minute leaving fans dejected. The Libyans retreated as they tried to soak pressure to hit Rwanda on the counter. Bizimana launched an attack as Rwanda pushed to break the deadlock, but he was brought down by Ahmed Saleh in the 76th minute. The resultant free kick was squandered. Rwanda started playing like there is nothing at stake as the Libyans took control. Elgelaib weaved through the Rwandan midfield before laying a pass to substitute Al Mesmary who finished beautifully in Ntwari’s top corner of the net to open the scores in the 84th minute. The Libyans held on until the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game. It now looks far from possible for Rwanda to qualify for AFCON 2025 as they need to beat Nigeria in Uyo on November 18.

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Al Mesmary’s late strike dents Rwanda’s AFCON hopes