Rwanda’s U-23 national team made a strong start to their CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sudan at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday.
Abdul Niyigena, Honoré Shingiro and Paul Jesus Sindi were on target as Eric Nshimiyimana’s side secured a commanding first-leg advantage ahead of next week’s return fixture in Juba, South Sudan.
Rwanda took the lead after just nine minutes when Niyigena rose to head home from a Daniel Muhoza corner, putting the hosts in front.
The Junior Wasps continued to threaten and came close to doubling their advantage before the break, but Sindi’s free-kick struck the post.
Rwanda eventually found a second goal three minutes after the restart. Shingiro doubled the lead in the 48th minute, with Muhoza again providing the assist.
Sindi then put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute, finishing off a counter-attack after receiving a pass from Bobo Sultan.
Muhoza came close to adding a fourth shortly afterwards, but his effort struck the crossbar as Rwanda finished the match with a commanding three-goal advantage.
The result gives Rwanda a significant cushion heading into the second leg, which will be played against Sudan at Juba National Stadium on October 6.
The Rwanda-Sudan tie is part of the first round of the U-23 AFCON 2027 qualifiers. CAF’s qualifying format consists of three rounds of home-and-away knockout ties, with the first round featuring 28 teams in 14 two-legged ties.
Rwanda will now look to complete the job in Juba and secure passage to the next stage of the qualifiers.