The Egyptian women’s national football team secured a 1-0 victory over Rwanda in the first leg of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers at Kigali Pele Stadium on Friday, February 21. The game started at a slow pace, with neither side threatening in the opening minutes. Rwanda had the first clear chance in the 15th minute when Zawadi Usanase broke down the right flank, but instead of passing to Evelyne Ishimwe in the box, she went for goal, forcing a save from Egypt’s goalkeeper Habiba Mohamed. ALSO READ: Women AFCON 2026: Mukandayisenga ruled out of Egypt qualifier Egypt’s Nada Awwad received the first yellow card in the 19th minute for a foul on Ishimwe, but Rwanda wasted the resulting free kick. Rwanda then began stringing passes together through Dorothee Mukeshimana and Emerance Niyonshuti but lacked a clinical edge up front. Holding midfielder Marie Claire Dukuzumuremyi was booked in the 38th minute for a foul on Egyptian playmaker Amira Mohammed. The second half saw both teams relying on long balls. Rwanda had a chance to break the deadlock in the 50th minute, but no one connected with Niyonshuti’s superb 30-yard free kick. Egypt capitalised on a counterattack in the 60th minute when Habiba Mohamed beat her marker and slotted the ball past an onrushing Angeline Ndakimana for the game’s only goal. Coach Casa Mbungo responded by introducing attacker Emilia Mukagatete for Uwitonze Nyirarukundo in the 65th minute to boost Rwanda’s offence. Egypt, growing in confidence, nearly doubled their lead, but goalkeeper Ndakimana made a brilliant save from Habiba’s 25-yard strike. Rwanda’s best chance in the second half fell to Ishimwe, whose header from Niyonshuti’s cross was saved by Egypt’s keeper Habiba Emad. ALSO READ: Women’s AFCON 2026: Rwanda host Egypt in epic qualifier Egypt’s winger Yassmin Mohamed troubled Rwanda’s defence, winning a free kick on the edge of the box in the 82nd minute, but the opportunity was wasted. A minute later, Zawadi delivered a fine cross from the left, but no one was there to finish, allowing Habiba to collect the ball easily. Rwanda piled pressure on Egypt in the closing minutes but lacked the cutting edge in attack. The visitors defended resolutely through the six minutes of added time to secure the win. Rwanda will now travel to face the Cleopatras in the return leg at the Suez Canal Stadium on February 25.
