Cape Verde Islands vs 29.09.26 16:001 – 2Full Time
Rwanda — AFCON Qualifying: stats, lineups & analysis
Match report
Rwanda stun dominant Cape Verde Islands with second-half winner
Cape Verde Islands lost 2-1 at home to Rwanda in an AFCON Qualifying Group Stage fixture at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde, despite controlling large spells of the contest. Gilson Benchimol put the hosts ahead in the 40th minute, finishing off a Ryan Mendes assist, only for Rwanda to level almost immediately.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Claude Niyomugabo drew Rwanda level in first-half stoppage time, converting a chance created by Ange Mutsinzi to send the sides in level at 1-1 at the interval. The match then turned early in the second half when Elie Tatou Iradukunda, set up by Joy-Lance Mickels, put Rwanda ahead in the 52nd minute, a lead they held to the final whistle.
Cape Verde Islands dominated territory and chances, but could not find a second goal to rescue the contest against a Rwanda side managed by S. Constantine that took its two opportunities clinically. The result leaves Pedro Leitão Brito's team to reflect on a game in which they controlled possession but were punished for lapses either side of half-time.
Ryan Mendes supplied the assist for Benchimol's opener and finished with the highest rating on the pitch at 7.67, despite ending up on the losing side.
Cape Verde Islands enjoyed 70 percent possession and fired 19 shots to Rwanda's 6, yet still came away with defeat.
Rwanda won 2–1 away against Cape Verde Islands (half-time 1–1).
Cape Verde Islands met Rwanda in the AFCON Qualifying (Group Stage - 2). Kick-off was Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 16:00 UTC at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde. Referee: D. Houngnandande.
Team pages: Cape Verde Islands · Rwanda · AFCON Qualifying
Key moments
- 40' Goal: Gilson Benchimol (assist: Ryan Mendes) — 1–0
- 45+2' Goal: Claude Niyomugabo (assist: Ange Mutsinzi) — 1–1
- 52' Goal: Elie Tatou Iradukunda (assist: Joy-Lance Mickels) — 1–2 · Watch Elie Tatou Iradukunda's goal video (52')
Starting line-ups
Cape Verde Islands (4-1-4-1)
Rwanda (4-2-3-1)
- 1 F. Ntwari
- 2 Claude Niyomugabo
- 25 Phanuel Kavita
- 5 Ange Mutsinzi
- 24 Gilbert Byiringiro
- 4 Djihad Bizimana
- 15 Bonheur Mugisha
- 13 Leroy-Jacques Mickels
- 20 Joy-Lance Mickels
- 12 Gilbert Mugisha
- 7 Abeddy Biramahire
About this match
On this page: the Cape Verde Islands vs Rwanda final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this AFCON Qualifying fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Cape Verde Islands 1–2 Rwanda. Explore more on the Cape Verde Islands and Rwanda team pages or the AFCON Qualifying page.