Rwanda's national football team, the Amavubi, began their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Liberia at Amahoro Stadium on September 25, 2026. The win marked a significant milestone for Rwanda, who had waited 22 years to return to the continent's biggest football tournament. The match got off to a flying start, with Abeddy Biramahire scoring in the third minute to give Rwanda an early lead. The home crowd of over 27,000 supporters was electric, with thousands more Liberian fans adding to the atmosphere.
The Amavubi continued to dominate the match, with Leroy Jacques Mickels scoring in the 34th minute to put Rwanda 2-0 ahead. However, Liberia pulled one back in the 39th minute through Sylvanus Nimely, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. The response from Rwanda was immediate and decisive, with Mickels converting a penalty before half-time to put his team 3-1 up. The penalty was awarded after Bonheur Mugisha's effort struck a Liberian hand, and Mickels took responsibility for the spot-kick.
Mickels' goal was significant not only for the score but also for the player's personal achievement. Just days earlier, he had made history by becoming the first Rwandan to feature in the UEFA Champions League League Phase with Azerbaijani club Sabah FC. Mickels had also spoken openly about his desire to help Rwanda qualify for AFCON, and his goal was a testament to his determination. The Amavubi's performance was impressive, with the team showing resilience and attacking intent.
In the second half, Liberia created several dangerous moments, with Sean Sherman going close with a header and Murphy Dorley and Edward Ledlum testing the Rwandan defense. However, the Amavubi survived, with Claude Niyomugabo producing a crucial intervention to clear a Liberian effort off the goal line. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari also made a crucial save to deny Ledlum. The match was reduced to 10 men in the 60th minute when Sherman was shown a red card for a challenge on Mugisha.
The sending-off gave Rwanda greater control of the closing stages, and the team threatened to score a fourth goal. Leroy Jacques struck the woodwork after another attack involving Niyomugabo, but the three goals already on the scoreboard proved sufficient. President Paul Kagame watched from the stands as the Amavubi turned the occasion into one of their most memorable home victories in recent years. The significance of the victory goes beyond the three points, with Rwanda having not played at AFCON since their historic debut in 2004.
Coach Stephen Constantine, who returned to Rwanda with a determination to reshape the country's football structure, was not completely satisfied with the performance, despite the convincing win. He admitted that the team still had several things to fix, citing the lack of preparation time before the match. Constantine said he had already presented his plans to the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Football Federation, and believes the rebuilding process must involve the wider football community.
Constantine's ambition is not limited to the current AFCON campaign, but to build a team that can compete across all age groups within the next two to three years. He wants to create stronger pathways for young players and a foundation capable of producing talent for years to come. Rwanda's next match is against Cape Verde on September 29, 2026, in Praia, and Constantine is under no illusion about the challenge that awaits.
Key points
- Rwanda's Amavubi stars defeated Liberia 3-1 in their AFCON qualifier on September 25, 2026.
- The win marked Rwanda's first AFCON match in 22 years, with the team having last played in the tournament in 2004.
- Coach Stephen Constantine has a long-term plan to build a competitive team, with a focus on developing young players and creating a strong football structure.
