Ex-Rwanda captain Olivier Karekezi has raised alarms on the current national team to be ready for every game ahead of them and carry on their impressive start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The November World Cup Africa Qualifiers left Rwanda leading Group C standings with 4 points after a stunning 2-0 victory over South Africa days after drawing with Zimbabwe in both games held at Huye Stadium. ALSO READ: 2026 WC Qualifiers: Nshuti and Mugisha fire Rwanda past South Africa Karekezi, the country’s all-time top scorer, praised the team’s recent performance but insists there is still a long way to go for them to fulfill their dreams. “Beating South Africa 2-0 is something big for our young guns but they still have a long way to go so they must be ready for the next matches and prepare their minds to win every match ahead of them,” Karekezi told Times Sport. “Yes they have done well so far but it is time to restart again. It is good for them if they play friendly matches which can shape them for good preparations.” “They played well the last two games, and even though they drew the first game against Zimbabwe, they would have won it but it gives experience and confidence, I believe Amavubi has a bright future,” he added. Frank Torsten Spittler’s team will play two friendly games against Madagascar and Guinea during the March international break. The German gaffer will use the occasion as part of the national team’s preparations for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa Qualifiers in June. ALSO READ: Rwanda lines up Madagascar, Guinea international friendlies Karekezi said getting the team many matches will help players to be more competitive enough to do even better when the qualifiers return in June. “This is the best crop of players we have in the country. If we invest in them and expose them to more competitive matches, we will certainly be on the right path towards a successful Chan tournament come 2016,” the former APR striker noted. Nobody expected it! Rwanda stunned South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup qualifiers, a result that renewed Spittler's hopes of helping the Amavubi to do better in the qualifiers for the very first time since 2019. ALSO READ: Amavubi turn focus to World Cup qualifiers “It’s the result that everyone wanted as a Rwandan but no one was expecting that performance. We have got wise players who are playing very well, especially in the first half. The football they played, bringing it out from the back, creating many passes, and moving the ball was the best football that team has played in years. I am happy for the young boys,” Karekezi said. ALSO READ: 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Zimbabwe to host Nigeria in Kigali Rwanda returns to qualifying action in June when they visit Benin and Lesotho between June 3 and 11. The East African country leads Group C with 4 points after 2 qualifying matches. AFCON 2023 semifinalists South Africa are second with three points while Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho follow with two points apiece. Benin finds themselves at the bottom with one point after two qualifying matches. ALSO READ: World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Rwanda drawn in Group C The CAF region for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers started in November 2023 and it will span a two-year period. Africa will be represented by ten teams in the next edition of the world’s most prestigious showpiece which will take place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
