Rwanda secured a surprise 1-0 win over Mozambique at the Estadio Nacional Do Zimpeto in Maputo on Sunday.

The Amavumbi battened down the hatches in the Mozambican capital to get their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign off to the perfect start.

Ernest Sugira opened the scoring for the visitors as early as the third minute, the striker getting on the end of Jacques Tuyisenge’s perfectly weighted cross to head into the back of the net.

Spearheaded by the experienced Elias Pelembe, the Mambas would press forward for the equaliser, but Rwanda looked a well drilled outfit – defending with everything they had to hold onto the win and subsequently move top of Group H.

For Johnny McKinstry and his troops the win comes at the perfect time after they slipped 21 places to 94th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com