The junior Wasps secured their spot in the continental competition by defeating Ethiopia 2-1 in a decisive playoff match.
Rwanda's U-17 national team has qualified for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after a 2-1 victory over Ethiopia at Kigali Pelé Stadium. The young Amavubi juniors scored twice in the first 16 minutes, with Heylen Jayden Shema opening the scoring in the fifth minute and Isaac Ndizeye adding another from a corner in the 15th minute. Ethiopia managed to pull one goal back before halftime, but Rwanda held on through sustained second-half pressure to secure their qualification.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Rwandan youth football, with head coach Jimmy Murisa highlighting the result as a testament to years of investment and development. The team entered the match having lost to Somalia in the semi-finals, making Monday's playoff a crucial opportunity to achieve their primary objective of reaching the continental tournament.
Shema, who was given a starting role after often being a substitute, made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal from an assist by Pacifique Bahati. The team's early offensive pressure led to the corner from which Ndizeye scored the second goal, setting the stage for their successful defense of the lead.
Why it mattersYoung Rwandan footballers are affected by this qualification as it represents a major achievement in their development and a chance to compete on a continental stage.
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