Rwanda’s Amavubi players receive the trophy after defeating Estonia to clinch the FIFA Series at Amahoro Stadium.
KIGALI — Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, produced a composed and commanding display to defeat Estonia 2–0 in the FIFA Series 2026 Group A final, capping a memorable night at a packed Amahoro Stadium.
This was more than just a friendly — it was a statement.
With a goal and an assist in the final, Rwandan midfielder Leroy Jacques Mickels was voted man of the match.
The contest began cautiously, with both sides probing for control. Estonia enjoyed early spells of possession and won the first corner, but Rwanda gradually settled, growing into the game with measured build-up play, particularly down the left flank, while maintaining a disciplined defensive shape.
Abeddy Biramahire celebrates after scoring the first goal in the final.
Clear chances were limited in the opening exchanges. Jojea Kwizera came close for Rwanda but was denied before testing the goalkeeper, while Estonia looked threatening from set pieces — only to be met by a resolute Amavubi backline.
The breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute. Leroy Jacques Mickels slipped a well-weighted pass into Abeddy Biramahire, who finished calmly to ignite celebrations across the stands.
Buoyed by the goal, Rwanda raised the tempo, with the home crowd driving them forward. Estonia pushed for a response, but goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera delivered a crucial save inside the box to preserve the lead heading into halftime.
Amavubi returned from the break with intent.
In the 51st minute, Mickels turned from provider to scorer, unleashing a powerful strike that beat Estonia’s Kaur Kivila to double Rwanda’s advantage and put the hosts firmly in control.
From there, it became a test of game management — one Rwanda handled with maturity. The midfield dictated the rhythm, substitutions added fresh energy, and the defensive unit remained compact, limiting Estonia to long-range efforts and set pieces.
Even in the closing stages, including a late free kick in the 82nd minute, Estonia found no way through. Rwanda stayed organized, composed, and confident until the final whistle.
Smiles after the victory: President Paul Kagame cheered on Amavubi alongside other dignitaries at Amahoro Stadium, one of the FIFA-approved venues in the region.
This edition of the FIFA Series 2026 will go down as one of Rwanda’s most successful sporting milestones, setting a benchmark for future large-scale events.
By hosting teams from across the globe and delivering masterful performances on the pitch, Rwanda has shown it possesses both the world-class infrastructure and the competitive spirit needed to stage major international tournaments.
Dominant scorelines, like the 4–0 semifinal triumph over Grenada and this victory against Estonia, are no longer exceptions but the expected outcome of a system built to succeed.
President Paul Kagame watches as Amavubi battles Europeans, Estonia.
And when President Paul Kagame takes his seat in the stands, he isn’t just watching a match—he is witnessing the maturation of a national project, one that extends across the region through his long-standing sponsorship of the CECAFA Club Championship, popularly known as the Kagame Cup.
The Final was watched by a full capacity Amahoro stadium.
Backed by a passionate home crowd and watched by President Paul Kagame, Amavubi turned a historic fixture against European opposition into a defining victory. On a night where football met occasion, Rwanda did more than win — they delivered a performance built on discipline, structure, and belief, signaling a promising step forward for the national game.
Amon B. Niwamanya contributed to this report.
