Rwanda pulled off a surprise 1-0 away victory over Zimbabwe in a CAF World Cup qualifier on September 9, 2025. The result is a major upset and a historic win for Rwandan football, securing three priceless points on the road. The decisive goal came against the run of play in the second half, as Rwanda scored on a swift counter-attack that caught the Zimbabwe defense napping. Zimbabwe dominated possession and created numerous chances but were plagued by poor finishing and an inspired performance from the Rwandan goalkeeper, who made several spectacular saves. This defeat is a devastating blow to Zimbabwe's qualification hopes on home soil, while Rwanda's campaign receives a monumental boost. The Rwanda manager hailed his team's fighting spirit and defensive organization, calling it a perfect away performance. The Zimbabwe coach was left to bemoan his team's wastefulness in front of goal. The starting lineups featured Zimbabwe's attacking stars who failed to deliver, while Rwanda's collective effort shone through.