A late goal from Mubarak Wakaso proved to be the only difference between the two sides as four-time African champions Ghana left it late to succeed in Kigali.
The Black Stars were awarded a free-kick just outside the box on a poor pitch and Wakaso curled the ball past the wall and wide of goalkeeper Olivier Kwizeri into the corner.
It was a cruel blow for the Wasps, who fought gallantly before a near-capacity crowd and did not deserve to lose.
Ghana now sit top of their qualification group with six points having been runners up in the competition this year.
Before the game Rwanda coach Johnny McKinstry had spoken about Ayew as one of the most in form players in world football when he said “Ghana have so many top, top players; in Dede Ayew I think you’ve got the most in-form player in the world at the moment. He’s started in the Premier League in red-hot form—the goals, the assists—you’d struggle to find a player across the top leagues who’s started the season in such good form.
“We’ve got to deal with Dede, but we can’t put all our eggs in one basket, just cover him and be ok. If we just focus on just one player, Ghana have several other players who can hurt us. If you focus so much on trying to stop Dede, his brother Jordan will pop up somewhere, or Asamoah Gyan will.”
Here's @wakasobobby's freekick for @ghanafaofficial vs. @FERWAFA 1-0 to Black Stars https://t.co/vQVtDFTA7N
— Ed Dove (@EddyDove) September 5, 2015
