Tuesday, February 25 Egypt Women vs Rwanda Women Venue: Suez Canal Stadium, Ismailia Kickoff: 6PM Rwanda women’s national team takes on the Cleopatra's of Egypt on Tuesday, February 25, at 6pm in a crunch second leg qualifying match which will decide their fate in the 2026 WAFCON qualifier. The Egyptians won the first leg 1-0 in Kigali and Rwanda will be aiming to turn the deficit around and sail through to the next stage where Ghana awaits. It promises a great game at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia with the pair still having all to play for. Times Sport takes a look at five things the that André Casa Mbungo’s side can do to defeat the Egyptians in their own backyard. Play Emerance Niyonshuti as holding midfielder One of the main problems that haunted Rwanda was in defensive midfield. Marie Claire Dukuzumuremyi who played in that position was just ballooning the balls with no direction. She failed to put the ball on the ground and build up play. Coach Casa Mbungo made Rayon Sports defensive midfielder Emerance Niyonshuti to play at number 10. It will be prudent if Niyonshuti comes to her natural position and Dukuzumuremyi is benched. Niyonshuti is much more comfortable on the ball, she dribbles, passes, and she is strong as well. She can set the tempo of the game and push the ball forward. Dukuzumuremyi can come on when victory is certain so that she can just be clearing balls. ALSO READ: Womens AFCON 2026: Mbungo hoping for improved second leg in Egypt Zawadi must play as a number 9 Rwanda struggled in attack in the absence of Yanga Princess attacker Jeannine Mukandayisenga who is out with flu. Rwanda created just three chances throughout the game and all was wasted. Evelyne Ishimwe led the attack last time but she needed the real firepower as a number 9. Mbungo must move Zawadi Usanase from the wings to a central striking role as she is strong and can cause problems for the Egyptians inside the penalty box. Keep close eyes on Yassmin Mohammed and Habiba Mohamed Yassmin Mohammed who was wearing number 7 jersey in Kigali as well as number 10 woman Habiba Mohamed were the two most dangerous players in the Egyptian team. Yassmin who features for local side Masar FC as well as Al Ahly WFC’s Habiba are very comfortable with the ball at their feet. They can dribble, split up defense with good passes and, above all, they are very fast. Yassmin set up Habiba's goal in Kigali and their telepathic understanding is very strong. Lydia Uzayisenga and Aline Ingabire or whoever will be given the task to mark them should do man-marking instead of zonal marking so that the duo doesn’t get the chance to operate. If Rwanda is able to hold those two players 70 percent of the job will already be done. Put the ball on the ground and play One major shortfall of the Rwandan team lied in struggling to put the ball on the ground and play. With the exception of Dorothee Mukeshimana and Niyonshuti, who always put the ball on the ground, the others were just kicking the balls to the air with no direction. The players must put the ball on the ground, string passes together and play with confidence and that is the only way they can get the ball to the Egyptian danger zone. Play Mukeshimana behind Zawadi Mukeshimana was fantastic against Egypt as she showed her brilliance by possessing the ball and taking the Egyptian players on. Her passes were also decisive although she was playing more on the flank. She can clearly cause more danger in an attacking midfield role. Mukeshimana should play as a number 10 behind Zawadi who must lead the attack. She can supply the needed balls for her to score. Tags: Women’s AFCON 2026
