Ten-man Rwanda held Cameroon to a 0-0 draw at Japoma Stadium on Tuesday but missed out on qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after Cape Verde beat Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo.
Amavubi needed to win in Douala and hope for a favour from Mozambique, but neither transpired on the night as the Blue Sharks punched their Afcon ticket and a return to the continent's premier tournament for the first time since 2015 and for only the third time in their history.
An own goal from Faisal Bangal proved to be Mozambique's undoing on home soil. The Mambas also harboured slim hopes of reaching next year's finals heading into the last round of qualifiers, but they were unable to get the result they required.
Rwanda's chances of winning in Cameroon were already difficult to start with, but it was made even more challenging as Olivier Kwizera received his marching orders nine minutes into the second half. In the end, the visitors were able to conjure a valiant point, but not the result they were after.
A point was enough to earn the Indomitable Lions, who had already qualified for the tournament by virtue of being hosts, top spot in Group F.
Cape Verde finished a point back while Rwanda and Mozambique ended the campaign in third and fourth place respectively.
The top two nations in each group advance to the 24-team finals hosted in Cameroon next year.
Cameroon (0) 0
Rwanda (0) 0
Cameroon: Omossola; Ngwem, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Meyapya (Gouet 70'), Fai, Hongla, Zambo-Anguissa (Tabekou 83'), Kunde Malong (Brice 83'), Ngamaleu (Onguene 83'), N'Jie (Ako 66'), Aboubakar.
Rwanda: Kwizera; Omborenga, Imanishimwe, Mutsinzi, Nirisarike, O.Niyonzima, Mukunzi, H.Niyonzima, Byringiro (Usengimana 79'), Iradukunda (Mvuyekure 59'), Kagere.