Rwanda’s national football team, the Amavubi, reignited their chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a crucial 2-1 win over Benin in Kigali on Tuesday. The victory breathes new life into Rwanda’s campaign, positioning them firmly in the race for a spot in the prestigious tournament set to take place in Morocco next year.
The match started cautiously for the hosts, but Rwanda found themselves trailing just before halftime when Benin’s Cédric Hountondji put the visitors ahead in the 42nd minute.
His goal stunned the Rwandan supporters at Kigali’s stadium, as Benin capitalized on a defensive lapse to gain the upper hand.
Rwanda, however, showed resilience in the second half.
The team’s efforts to find an equalizer finally paid off in the 70th minute when Innocent Nshuti latched onto a well-placed pass, coolly slotting the ball into the back of the net to bring the Amavubi level.
The goal lifted the spirits of the Rwandan side, who knew that anything less than a win would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Just five minutes later, in the 75th minute, Rwanda struck again.
Djihan Bizimana, making the most of a set-piece opportunity, delivered a powerful shot past Benin’s goalkeeper, sealing a remarkable turnaround for the home team.
Bizimana’s goal not only secured the three points but also injected new optimism into Rwanda’s AFCON campaign.
Rwanda’s win comes as a critical result in a competitive Group D, where Nigeria leads the standings.
The victory over Benin places Rwanda just one point behind their opponents, who remain second in the group.
With two matchdays remaining, the Amavubi are now firmly back in the hunt for a coveted AFCON qualification spot.
The match was a vital response for Rwanda following their 3-0 defeat to Benin on Matchday 3, a result that had placed their qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Prior to this win, Rwanda had managed two draws in their opening fixtures, one against Libya and another against Nigeria.
Tuesday’s victory not only restores hope but also adds momentum heading into the final stages of the qualification campaign.
Speaking after the match, Rwanda’s coach praised his players for their fighting spirit, noting how important the result was for the team’s morale.
The players showed great character tonight, and this win gives us the belief that we can still achieve our goal of qualifying for AFCON.
We’ll keep working hard and make the most of the opportunities ahead,” he said.
Rwanda’s next fixtures will be crucial as they continue to battle for one of the two qualification spots from Group D.
With Nigeria still leading the group, Rwanda must keep up the pressure and aim for maximum points in their remaining games to secure a place at AFCON 2025.
