Geoffrey Kondogbia scored his first international goal in the 95th minute of the Central African Republic's 2-2 draw in Rwanda to rescue a last-minute point for the visitors.
The draw extinguishes the Amavubi's feint hopes of reaching their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2004, and keeps alive the CAR's chances of reaching Cameroon next year.
Jacques Tuyisenge scored twice for Rwanda, either side of Habib Habibou's equaliser, before Kondogbia's intervention at the death.
It was the Valencia midfielder's first goal for the Fauves after he completed his nationality switch from France.
The 25-year-old represented Les Bleus five times between 2013 and 2015, but made his CAR debut by captaining the side in the 4-0 defeat by the Ivory Coast last month.
The draw leaves the Central African Republic on five points after five matches, and they could yet overhaul the Ivory Coast - in second - if the Elephants lose away in Guinea later on Sunday.