Rwanda and Zimbabwe Aim to Make Good Start in Tough 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group
Rwanda vs Zimbabwe - 15/11/2023
3248
The Confederation of African Football 2026 World Cup qualifying starts this week, including the meeting between Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The game will be played on the 15th of November at Stade Huye and this is the first round of fixtures in Group C. With Nigeria and South Africa in the group, it is important to get off to a good start.
Rwanda came into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw at Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations qualification. It was a good point for Rwanda but it is worth noting that Senegal did not have their strongest XI on the pitch having already comfortably secured qualification from the group.
The draw did nothing to improve Rwanda’s position in the group and they finished bottom on 3 points, having failed to win a match.
The draw in Senegal means Rwanda have failed to win any of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions. There have been defeats against Benin and Mozambique at home in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers plus a 1-0 loss in a friendly match against Ethiopia.
Rwanda did manage to secure a 1-1 draw in Benin in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Trends show Rwanda have won only 2 of their last 24 matches in all competitions. They have lost each of their last 4 World Cup qualifiers and have won only 1 of their last 8 World Cup qualifying games at home.
Zimbabwe travel to Butare having been held to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match against Botswana. The game went to penalties and it was Botswana who came out on top.
Having been suspended from international sport in March 2022 due to interference of the government, Zimbabwe had all their African Cup of Nations qualifying matches cancelled. That left Morocco, South Africa, and Liberia to battle it out between themselves in the group.
So, we must go back to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations for Zimbabwe’s most recent competitive fixture and they beat Guinea 2-1 in the group stage. However, that is the only victory for Zimbabwe in their last 14 competitive games.
Trends show Zimbabwe have won just 3 of their last 22 away matches in all competitions. Zimbabwe have failed to win any of their last 6 World Cup qualifiers and have lost each of their last 6 World Cup qualifying games on the road.
Team news and Rwanda have many players who play their football in the country. However, Hakim Sahabo is considered one of their top up and coming players and the midfielder is with Standard Liège.
Zimbabwe have players from clubs all over the world, including Lyon forward Tino Kadewere and Udinese defender Jordan Zemura.
It is safe to predict that both Rwanda and Zimbabwe are going to find this group tough.
They will need to take points off each other but with so little in the way of recent wins between them, it is likely this match will end level, with under 2.5 goals scored.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
WCQ
293932
X
1 - 1
2.73
23°
3.20
1.85
3.20
3.80
no
no
no
0 - 0(0 - 0)
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
