The match, played at Kigali Pelé Stadium, saw the Amavubi struggle to contain a more clinical Cameroonian side, leaving them with a difficult task ahead of the return leg.
Both teams started cautiously, with neither able to create clear scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes as their defences held firm.
Rwanda were dealt an early setback in the 26th minute when striker Shingiro Honoré picked up an injury and was replaced by Ingabire Christian.
Despite Cameroon’s attempts to take control, Rwanda also had moments of attacking promise, winning three corner kicks in the first half, one more than the visitors.
Cameroon stepped up their attacking efforts after the break, putting the home side under sustained pressure.
Their breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when captain Fergani Patrick Edzimbi found the net after receiving a pass between Rwanda’s defenders, who appeared to have expected an offside call.
Rwanda tried to respond, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Defender Niyigena Abdoul appeared to have restored parity in the 75th minute, but the referee disallowed the goal, ruling that the goalkeeper had been impeded after taking control of the ball.
The visitors capitalised on Rwanda’s inability to convert their chances, with substitute Rattensi Nko Ghangle doubling Cameroon’s lead in the 85th minute.
Edzimbi then put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute, completing his brace with a shot towards the corner that goalkeeper Iradukunda Moria failed to keep out.
The 3-0 defeat leaves Rwanda facing an uphill battle in the return leg, scheduled for November 17 in Cameroon. The Amavubi must win by at least three goals, either 3-0 to force penalties, or by a higher-scoring three-goal margin like 4-1 to advance on away goals, to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The aggregate winner will advance to the final qualifying round, where they will face either Madagascar or South Africa in March 2027.
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