Rwanda was dealt a major blow in its quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after settling for a share of the spoils with Lesotho in a 1-1 draw on home soil at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Jojea Kwizera opened the scoring for the home team in the 58th minute, pouncing on an assist from Al Ahli Tripoli’s center-back Thierry Manzi, before Lehlohonolo Fothoane rescued a point for the visitors with a goal in the 82nd minute.

The result saw Amavubi, as Rwanda is fondly known, up to second place in group C standings. Adel Amrouche’s charges have accumulated eight points in six matches played, scoring four goals while conceding as many in the process.

For Lesotho, the stalemate is a slight setback in their bid to make an appearance at the global showpiece set to be jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Leslie Notsi’s troops failed to claim maximum points in the ongoing international break.

Likuena dropped to fifth place with six points collected. The Southern African nation trails its fellow neighbors South Africa, who tops the group with 13 points, and second-placed Rwanda with eight points.

Bafana Bafana solidified their top position in FIFA World Cup Group C with a 2-0 victory over Benin at the neutral venue of Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

Second-half goals from Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams propelled Bafana Bafana to five points clear at the top after six matches, extending their lead over Rwanda. Nigeria played to a 1-1 also against Zimbabwe in the other game.