CHAN 2024 Qualifiers: Dushimimana gets double as Amavubi rout Djibouti

Olivier Dushimimana scored a brace to inspire Rwanda's national team to a thrashing 3-0 victory over Djibouti in the second leg's first round of the 2024 CHAN Qualifiers on Thursday.

APR winger's two first-half goals and Arsene Tuyisenge's late goal at Amahoro Stadium saw Amavubi progress to the second round of the 2024 CHAN Qualifiers with a 3-1 overall aggregate.

Frank Torsten's men had been shocked 1-0 by a side 192nd in FIFA's latest Ranking in the first leg despite having the upper hand. They entered the contest hoping to fix their errors, which they ultimately did.

Amavubi comprehensively dominated Djibouti throughout the game. Dushimimana opened the scoring in the 10th minute, capitalising on Djibouti’s backline reckless defending.

Taiba Mbonyumwami should have doubled the advantage three minutes later when Dushimimana crossed for him, but the Marines forward poked the ball wide.

Dushimimana extended the lead in the 26th minute, with a superb outside-the-box strike to put Amavubi in front with two goals.

Mbonyumwami had a one-on-one scoring chance in the 43rd minute but had his shot stopped by Djibouti goalkeeper Sulait Luyima.

Rwanda retained their superiority over Abdirahman Okieh Hadi's side in all aspects of the game in the second half and could have converted more. However, they couldn't grasp all their chances.

Substitute Arsene Tuyisenge capped it off with a close-range finish after Gilbert Mugisha’s great effort in the 89th minute.

"I thank God that I scored twice. This is my second Amavubi game. I'm over the moon. The coach trusted me, and I've demonstrated that I deserved it," Dushimimana told B&B Kigali after the game.

Rwanda will face off against the victorious side between Kenya and South Sudan in the second round of the 2024 CHAN Qualifiers. South Sudan beat Kenya 2-0 in the first leg.

Photo: President Paul Kagame watched Amavubi annihilate Djibouti 3-0 from the stands.