Rwanda began their campaign for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Liberia at Amahoro Stadium on Friday, collecting three important points in Group K. Amavubi needed only two minutes to take the lead, with Abeddy Biramahire finding the breakthrough early to give the home side a perfect start in front of their supporters. Rwanda continued to control the game and were rewarded again in the 33rd minute when Joy-Lance Mickels doubled the advantage, putting Amavubi 2-0 ahead. Liberia responded six minutes later. Sylvanus Nimely pulled one back in the 39th minute ,

Rwanda began their campaign for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Liberia at Amahoro Stadium on Friday, collecting three important points in Group K. Amavubi needed only two minutes to take the lead, with

Abeddy Biramahire

finding the breakthrough early to give the home side a perfect start in front of their supporters. Rwanda continued to control the game and were rewarded again in the

33rd minute

when

Joy-Lance Mickels

doubled the advantage, putting Amavubi 2-0 ahead. Liberia responded six minutes later.

Sylvanus Nimely

pulled one back in the

39th minute

, reducing Rwanda's advantage to 2-1 and giving the visitors hope of getting back into the match. However, Rwanda restored their two-goal advantage before the break.

Joy-Lance Mickels

converted from the penalty spot in the

45th minute

to make it 3-1 and complete his brace. Rwanda managed the second half effectively, keeping Liberia from finding another way back into the match and securing a winning start to their qualifying campaign. The victory gives Rwanda three points from their opening Group K fixture, with Mali, Cape Verde and Liberia completing the group. The top two teams will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

A dream start for Amavubi! Abeddy Biramahire strikes after just two minutes to put Rwanda ahead against Liberia.

Mickels doubles Rwanda’s advantage! A composed finish in the 33rd minute puts Amavubi 2-0 up against Liberia.

Joy-Lance Mickels restores Rwanda’s two-goal advantage! He calmly converts from the penalty spot in the 45th minute to make it 3-1.

The other Group K opening fixture will see Mali host Cape Verde at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako today at 21:00 . The result will be closely followed in Rwanda, with Cape Verde set to face Amavubi in the next Group K match on 29 September. The result will be closely followed in Rwanda because Cape Verde are Amavubi's next opponents. Rwanda will travel to face the Blue Sharks on 29 September, only four days after their home match against Liberia. Liberia will host Mali on the same day. Cape Verde enter the qualifiers after securing a historic place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Mali will begin their campaign at home. For Rwanda, the campaign carries added significance as the national team seeks to return to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2004. Mickels had previously identified qualification for AFCON 2027 as the team's objective, and his two goals against Liberia have given Amavubi an important start. However, the victory is only the beginning. Rwanda now face a demanding away fixture against Cape Verde, with just four days between the two matches. Stephen Constantine's side will therefore need to recover quickly and prepare for a different challenge away from home. For now, Amavubi have secured the result they wanted in Kigali. Their next test comes in Cape Verde, where another three points could further strengthen their position in Group K.

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