Warriors Lose To Rwanda As Winless World Cup Qualifying Run Drags On

Zimbabwe’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign went from bad to worse on Tuesday as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Rwanda at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg — their second straight loss in Group C.

Gilbert Mugisha struck the decisive blow in the 40th minute with a superb long-range effort that left Washington Arubi helpless.

The result lifted Rwanda to 11 points, while the Warriors stayed rooted at the bottom of the table with just four points from eight matches.

The opening half offered little encouragement for Zimbabwe. Aside from Jordan Zemura’s early free-kick, which whistled inches over the bar, Michael Nees’ men rarely threatened.

Rwanda, organised and dangerous on the counter, nearly struck through Abeddy Biramahire before Mugisha finally broke the deadlock.

The Warriors improved after the restart. Substitutes Tymon Machope and Bill Antonio injected some urgency, with Machope forcing a fingertip save from Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari before setting up Tawanda Chirewa, who somehow dragged his effort wide of an empty net in the 72nd minute.

Chirewa came close again late on, denied by a brilliant stop from Ntwari, while further introductions of Walter Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Bill Antonio failed to turn the tide.

Rwanda held firm to secure a vital away win and heap further pressure on Nees, who has already been criticised after last week’s defeat to Benin.

The loss leaves Zimbabwe as the only winless side in Group C, their hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States all but over.

In the other Group C fixtures on Wednesday, South Africa and Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw, while Benin thumped Lesotho 4-0.

South Africa now lead the standings with 17 points and are in pole position to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Benin sit second on 14 points, with Nigeria and Rwanda tied on 11, Lesotho on 6, and Zimbabwe bottom with 4.