Rwanda put up a great show on Tuesday afternoon as they defeated South Africa 2-0 at Huye Stadium in the 2026 World Cup Group C qualifiers. What was the country’s first win in a competitive match since March 24, 2021, the result propelled Frank Spittler’s at the top of Group C which also incudes Nigeria, Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Times Sport brings to you five things we learnt from the encounter brought smiles back to Rwandan faces after close to three years without a victory. Spittler kills two birds with one stone It was certainly a tale of two events. South Africa came into the game with Rwanda having gone unbeaten in their last 12 encounters in all competitions. The Bafana Bafana last suffered a defeat against Morocco in Rabat on June 9, 2022. Broos’ men had gone 16 months without a loss until being stopped by Rwanda at Huye. For Amavubi, they had gone over two years without a victory in any competitive game. Rwanda last won a competitive outing on March 24, 2021 which was a 1-0 AFCON qualifying win over Mozambique. Vincent Mashami was at the helm at the time. Tuesday’s victory at Huye Stadium 2026 World Cup qualifiers not only brought an end to Rwanda's abysmal results but Spittler also stopped Bafana Bafana’s unbeaten run after close to 18 months without tasting a defeat. ALSO READ: 2026 WC Qualifiers: Nshuti and Mugisha fire Rwanda past South Africa Nshuti finally becomes clinical The APR FC striker was mobile and playing with pace and physicality against South Africa and it was one of the reasons his attacking threat finally paid dividends. Spittler was right to show him patience and keep him in the attacking role. Against Zimbabwe, he played as a standing 9 but he wasn't that mobile. When he changed his approach by running into empty spaces and being the first on balls, South Africa suffered and struggled to cope with him. Nshuti made a run and got a headed pass from Lague Byiringiro before firing past Ronwen Williams for the opener in the 14th minute. The coach gave him a second chance and he put it into good use. The international break ends with his position in safe hands, but he still has a lot to do to prove Spittler. ALSO READ: Spittler surprised by Amavubi victory over South Africa Imanishimwe silenced Tau As predicted, Percy Tau and Emmanuel Imanishimwe was among stand out battles that shaped the game. The Rwandan left-back literally pocketed the Al Ahly danger man and he had no room to operate. At a point, Tau was running away from Imanishimwe as he begun hovering around the other flank or playing as a number 10 area to avoid facing FAR Rabat star. Imanishimwe's output was one of the reasons Amavubi won as he stopped Tau. Without the talisman at his best, the entire South Africa struggle. Niyonzima, a rock in midfield Olivier Niyonzima was classical in midfield. He sat just in front of the back four as the main anchor man and the destroyer on the other hand. Themba Zwane couldn't go past him as he won every ball from aerials and on the ground. He protected the back four and started most of Amavubi's attack from his area. South Africa lost the battle...period! South Africa’s defensive blunders cost them both goals and the attack did little to nothing to achieve a comeback. Broos’ men came into the game strongly in the second half after an abysmal first half showing but they lacked the needed fire power upfront. Fortunately, Rwanda's back four of Ange Mutsinzi, Thierry Manzi, Omborenga Fitina and Emmanuel Imanishimwe were very resilient on the day as the defended gallantly to stop Bafana Bafana. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari also made a couple of good saves to prevent the visitors from scoring. Broos must get his tactics right again because he lost the game at both ends.
