The match began cautiously, with both teams focused on maintaining their defensive structures. South Sudan, known for their resilience, matched Rwanda's intensity in the early exchanges.
Despite the slow start, Arsène Tuyisenge tested South Sudan's goalkeeper Juma Jenaro with a direct shot in the 10th minute, earning Rwanda their first corner of the match.
Amavubi's midfield trioâ€"Jean Bosco Ruboneka, Gilbert Mugisha, and Jean Claude Niyomugaboâ€"controlled the tempo, forcing several saves from Jenaro. Didier Mugisha came close to opening the scoring in the 20th minute, missing a rebound from the post with only the goalkeeper to beat.
As the first half progressed, Rwanda continued to dominate possession, but South Sudan's defense held firm. In the 35th minute, Gilbert Mugisha's free kick struck the woodwork, and Didier Mugisha was quick to capitalize on the rebound, tapping the ball past Jenaro to give Rwanda a 1-0 lead.
Rwanda had a golden opportunity to double their advantage in the dying moments of the first half. A South Sudanese defender handled the ball in the penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty. However, captain Kevin Muhire's effort was saved by Jenaro, leaving the score at 1-0 heading into halftime.
The second half began with Rwanda attacking with renewed vigor. Muhire redeemed himself in the 55th minute, weaving through South Sudan's defense to slot home Amavubi's second goal. The home crowd erupted in celebration as Rwanda seemed poised to secure a convincing win.
Despite trailing 2-0, South Sudan refused to back down. Substitute David Sebit capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 81st minute, firing a powerful shot past Adolphe Hakizimana to make it 2-1. Amavubi pushed forward in search of a third goal, but missed chances from Ruboneka and others to keep the score line unchanged.
The Tunisian referee added three minutes of stoppage time, but neither side could alter the outcome. Rwanda's victory marked a valiant effort but fell short of the desired aggregate result, leaving fans both hopeful and uncertain about their team's CHAN 2024 prospects.
Aggregate deadlock and CECAFA rankings
The 2-1 win brought the aggregate score between Rwanda and South Sudan to 4-4, but South Sudan was eliminated on the away goals rule after conceding more goals at home in the first leg, which ended 3-2 in Juba.
In the CECAFA region rankings, Sudan emerged as the top team with six points after a dominant 4-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia. Rwanda and South Sudan each finished with three points, while Burundi remained at zero points with their second match against Uganda still pending.
The CECAFA region is allotted four slots in the CHAN finals. Three of these are automatically taken by the host nationsâ€"Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzaniaâ€"leaving only one slot for the remaining countries to contest.
With Sudan securing the top spot, Amavubi's fate now lies in the hands of CAF, which is yet to decide on replacements for Libya and Tunisia, who withdrew from the tournament.
Hopes for CAF's decision
Although Rwanda missed out on direct qualification, there is still a glimmer of hope. CAF must fill the void left by Libya and Tunisia's withdrawal, and Rwanda could be considered as one of the replacement teams.
Caretaker coach Jimmy Mulisa, who stepped in for head coach Frank Spittler during his holiday absence, expressed mixed feelings after the match.
'The boys gave everything on the pitch today. We are proud of the win, but unfortunately, the aggregate result was not in our favor. Now we wait and hope for good news from CAF,' Mulisa said.
Amavubi's victory over South Sudan showcased the team's potential, with standout performances from players like Kevin Muhire and Didier Mugisha. However, the missed penalty and defensive lapses highlighted areas that need improvement if Rwanda is to compete at the highest level.
As the team awaits CAF's decision, fans remain optimistic that Rwanda will join the CHAN 2024 tournament, set to be hosted in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Final Standings in CECAFA Region CHAN Qualifiers:
• Sudan: 6 points
• Rwanda: 3 points
• South Sudan: 3 points
• Burundi: 0 points (pending second match against Uganda)
With the CHAN 2024 finals fast approaching, Amavubi's journey is far from over. Their spirited performance against South Sudan is a testament to their resilience, and should CAF grant them a spot, Rwanda will undoubtedly aim to make a strong impression on the regional stage.
Sam K Nkurunziza
