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Key moments
Ntwani managed to keep out a powerful shot from the home side that threatened to level the score in that challenging match. The Cape Verde squad had not stopped looking for ways to capitalize on promising attacking moments and find the back of the net to tie the game; they needed to find a way to score.
Close! Niyogumabo tried to clear the ball to prevent an equalizer in those closing stages; he came very close to scoring an own goal that would have handed the opposition a crucial point. They needed to take more risks.
A great save by Ntwari; the goalkeeper gathered the ball effectively, preventing his team from conceding an equalizer. The home side was putting up a fierce fight in their quest to level the score. What a game.
Cape Verde shuffled the lineup again, looking for a way to tie the match. Jamiro Monteiro and Dailon Livramento came on to try and find the goals needed to equalize, replacing Telmo Arcanjo and Ryan Mendes.
We were gradually approaching the closing stages of the match, with Rwanda holding the lead thanks to a fine goal. It remained to be seen whether the home team could create some dangerous attacking moments and level the score before the game ended.
Vozinha kept an eye on every play, to avoid the possibility of a third goal being scored. They needed to find a way to generate a good move forward and create those moments to level the score
Cabo Verde moved its pieces to find a way to orchestrate a good moment going forward; they needed to turn the situation around and get back to creating chances. Djé and Ayoni Santos were the players who left the field, unable to create more dangerous moments going forward; Nuno da Costa and Jovane Cabral joined the match
Ntwari was attended to after a play; everything indicated that the player would be able to continue in the match. The Rwandan side needed to make changes to find a way to increase the advantage it had on the scoreboard.
Everything had become quite tough; they still did not want to look for a way to create more danger going forward without committing fouls that would give the home side the opportunity to go and get the goal that would level the score. It had been quite complicated in those last few minutes.
Goal, goal, goal, goal for Rwanda! The second of the match came at such a complex moment for Cape Verde; they came out with the ball under control, from where Mickels sent a good cross into the box, where Elie Iradukunda appeared to push the ball into the back of the net guarded by Vozinha.
Cape Verde did not stop insisting and looking for a way to orchestrate a good moment of danger; however, Rwanda remained very firm at the back, and in those opening minutes the hosts were unable to create the danger needed to convert those chances.
The action resumed so that the second half of the duel could be played, and it remained lively; in addition, the Rwandan team made a change, deciding to take Abeddy Biramahire off the field after a big workload, and Elie Iradukunda joined the match.
Half time. The first half of the match ended with the teams going toe to toe; first it was Cape Verde who managed to open the scoring, however in less than 10 minutes, Rwanda managed to level the score to close out the first half of the game
Goal, goal, goal, goal for Rwanda! He scored the goal that levelled the score early on; just a few minutes after the home team had taken the lead, the visitors managed to send a ball into the box from a corner, the ball travelled and arrived at the edge of the area, where Claude Niyomugabo got excited and sent a powerful shot from outside the box to level the score.
Cape Verde, with Pina at the helm, sought to continue creating danger in the goal guarded by Ntwari; however, that ball was unable to get past the defensive line. It was quite difficult throughout the game, and the teams needed to find a way to look for new options going forward.
Goal, goal, goal, goal for Cape Verde! The first of the match came; the hosts surprised in a good way with a break that ended in a cross that Mendes sent into the box, the ball travelled and ended up being pushed in by Gilson Benchimol, to open the scoring.
Santos tried to create a good moment of danger going forward in favour of the home side, but when he reached the byline the player tried to send a good ball into the box, which ended up being quite wide and disappeared over the end line without producing any clarity.
Rwanda had the opportunity to score the first goal of the game; it was a free kick that the team took, and after striking the ball with enough intensity, it went slightly over the goal that Vozinha was protecting at that moment.
Rwanda began to arrive in the danger zone; it was an incessant coming and going, however there was no clarity in the plays from either of the teams, and the moments needed to convert those chances were missing. My word, the duel was tight and complex.
The teams enjoyed plenty of the ball, there was a constant coming and going, but there was no clarity when the teams took charge of attacking in the danger zone. They needed to find a way to orchestrate a good moment to be able to open the scoring.
Cape Verde was nowhere near opening the scoring; it was a good cross struck by Santos trying to complete a good moment of danger going forward, and the ball was deflected away from the visitors' goal. The hosts had to keep insisting to score the first goal of the match.
Sidny had not managed to get free with the ball to reach the opposition goal and make a dangerous move. The home team needed to find spaces and link up between its players to achieve a good moment that would give the match its first goal
Vozinha remained attentive throughout those opening minutes, although he intervened little and only stayed alert to the ball's path, trying to prevent it from going in under the three posts he was protecting.
The ball was quite evenly split; little by little the teams began to settle down, however they managed to put together a good dangerous move going forward. They needed to find spaces and gain plenty of ground to be able to open the scoring.
It started in quite a lively fashion, with both squads competing for the ball and looking for a way to generate dangerous moves going forward. A great match full of emotion and very lively moments was expected, with the teams going head to head.
The action of this round of qualifiers for the African Cup got under way; both Cape Verde and Rwanda looked for a way to orchestrate dangerous moves going forward, convert their chances and find a way to score the goals needed to emerge triumphant.
Rwanda Starting XI
This was the visiting team's lineup for this intriguing clash.
1 Fiacre Ntwari.
2 Claude Niyomugabo.
25 Phanuel Kavita.
5 Ange Mutsinzi.
24 Gilbert Byringiro.
15 Bonheur Mugisha.
4 Dijhad Bizimana.
12 Gilbert Mugisha.
20 Joy Lance Mickels.
13 Leroy Jacques Mickels.
7 Abeddy Biramahire
Cape Verde Starting XI
The home team took the field with this lineup; it remained to be seen whether they could pick up points to keep their hopes alive.
1 Vozinha.
13 Sidny Lopes.
5 Logan Costa.
3 Diney Borges.
2 Wagner Pina.
6 Kevin Pina.
20 Ryan Mendes.
25 Ayoni Santos.
16 Djé
18 Telmo Arcanjo.
9 Gilson Benchimol
Ready to go
Players, coaching staff, and fans alike were eagerly awaiting the start of this crucial Matchday 2 clash. We were just waiting for the referee to officially get the 90 minutes of this fascinating match under way.
Head-to-Head
These teams had only faced each other once before; that meeting took place in 2020 during these same qualifiers. The match ended 0-0, with the points shared. It remained to be seen whether either side could secure that much-coveted victory this time around.
One to watch
Rwanda had to pay close attention to Sidny Lopes. The attacker came into the game high on confidence after scoring in his last match. He was looking to create dangerous opportunities and convert chances to help his team secure three vital points.
Not long to go
There was just under half an hour left until the match between the two sides kicked off. We were in for 90 minutes of excitement as both teams looked to orchestrate dangerous attacking plays and get on the scoresheet.
Full squad
The Cape Verde squad was at full strength, with no absences or injuries heading into this second African Cup qualifier. It remained to be seen whether the home team could secure the three points, which would be crucial for keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.
Officiating
Djindo Louis Houngnandande was in charge of officiating this important match between the two sides. He aimed to keep tempers in check and ensure a well-played contest throughout the 90 minutes of this intriguing encounter.
Looking for more
Rwanda arrived at this match having started on the right foot; they needed to keep scoring goals and putting on a good show for the fans in attendance as they pursued qualification for the African Cup of Nations.
Explore more stats, standings and news on VAVEL Data: Cape Verde · Rwanda
It's all over! The action on the field ended, with Rwanda managing to add three. It was quite a hard-fought match where they got the goal that gave them that victory. They made a great effort in the game.