It was a night of pure class on the pitch and full support by the home fans as Rwanda defeated Estonia 2-0 in the final of the FIFA Series Group A played at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday.

Graced by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and several stakeholders, the Amavubi did not disappoint in-front of the capacity crowd as they scored in each half.

The European team started by showing more dominance, but Amavubi stars held on tightly and defended well.

After 30 minutes Abeddy Biramahire sent the fans roaring with a well weighed in goal. He capitalized on a well taken Leroy Jacques Mickels pass and finished past Estonia’s goalkeeper Kaur Kivila.

The Estonia team tried to wake up and string passes together as they moved forward to try and find the goals, but Rwanda’s goalkeeper Olivier Kwizera was up to the task saving a close shot.

The two teams returned after the break with more intent, but it was Rwanda who increased their lead through Mickels six minutes into play. He unleashed a hard strike to make it 2-0.

The Amavubi later settled I well dictating the pace and pushing forward, but failed to find more goals. The defending line led by skipper Djihad Bizimana and Claude Niyomugabo stood firm stopping the Estonia attacks.

It was all celebration after the final whistle. Philip Constantine, the Rwanda head coach was all praise for the players for winning the two Group A matches against Grenada and Estonia.

“I thank the team for the head work and being able to win the matches. We have a lot to build together and we need to keep working hard,” added Constantine.

Rwanda were awarded the trophy and medals, while Estonia picked their medals for finishing second, while Kenya who stopped Grenada 3-0 in the play-off were also awarded medals.

Tanzania’s head Coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi has said playing in the FIFA Series mini tournament has helped him give young players good exposure in competitive International Football.

Taifa Stars lost the opening Group B match 1-0 to Liechtenstein, and recovered to win 6-0 against Macau in the play-off match on Sunday at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.

“I was very disappointed that we created many scoring opportunities, but lost to Liechtenstein in the first match. But we made changes in the second match and won against Macau by a big margin which gave the young players good exposure,” explained Gamondi.

The coach said that he used the FIFA Series to test many young players as they build the national team for future International competitions. “We need to start building a strong team because AFCON 2027 is not far from now and slowly the young players need to get the exposure,” added Gamondi.

He made it clear that the young players will need more International matches under their belts to be able to gain more exposure and maturity.

Gamondi praised the world Football governing body FIFA for coming up with the FIFA Series that gives teams from different Confederations opportunity to play friendly matches.

Rwanda also hosted Group A at the Amahoro Stadium which included; Rwanda, Grenada, Kenya and Estonia.

It was an evening of mixed results on Friday for CECAFA teams in the on-going FIFA Series in Kigali, Rwanda.

Hosts Rwanda put-up a brilliant performance in the second Group A match to demolish Grenada 4-0 at the Amahoro Stadium.

Cheered on by Rwanda President and a big football supporter Paul Kagame, the Amavubi in command by a new coach Stephen Philip Constantine scored two goals in each half to send the fans in celebrations.

After several missed chances Rwanda netted the opening goal two minutes into added time with a stunner by Leroy Jacques Mickels that rested at the corner of the net past the Grenada goalkeeper Chad Leron Jaime Philip.

Four minutes later Jojea Kwizera made it 2-0 for the hosts as the match headed for a break.

After recess Jermaine Laman Jordan Francis tried a long range for Grenada, but missed the target.  

Skipper Djihad Bizimana also got his name on the score board with a long range shot that beat the Grenada goalkeeper after 69 minutes. Stylish Hakim Sahabo made sure he did not miss out on the party when he made it 4-0 after 83 minutes to send the fans in party mood.

“I am happy that the players got on the pitch and played as a team to win the match,” said a happy coach Constantine after the match.

Rwanda will now face Estonia in the final on Monday night at the same Stadium. Estonia edged Kenya 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs in the first match on Friday after it ended 1-1 after the allotted 90 minutes.

On Sunday action will return to Group B with Macau facing Tanzania in the play-off match, while Liechtenstein take on Aruba at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Taifa Stars of Tanzania have suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liechtenstein in a Group B match of the FIFA Series played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Thursday.

Tanzania looked the better side in the first half with Seleman Mwalimu rounding off the Liechtenstein goalkeeper, but failed to score, and later Feisal Salum’s effort rattled the post.

After recess the lowly ranked Liechtenstein (204^th) returned strongly to put up a good defensive and attacking display.

In the second half, the lowly ranked the Europeans’ strong defensive display continued, but they were also lethal on counterattacks.

After a fast break forward Ferhat Saglam finished well on a one on one situation with Tanzanian goalkeeper Aishi Manula to make it 1-0.

Tanzania tried to fight back strongly to find the goals Morice Abraham coming close, but to no avail.

Liechtenstein will now face Aruba in the final on Saturday. Aruba defeated Macau 4-1 in an earlier match played at the same Stadium. Tanzania will also take on Macau in the play-off match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, action shifts to Group A with Kenya facing Estonia, while hosts Rwanda battle Grenada in matches to be played at the Amahoro Stadium on Friday.