Rwanda coach Spittler excited with win over Benin in AFCON qualifiers

Rwanda head coach Frank Spittler says he is happy with the way his team rose to the occasion to beat Benin 2-1 in a Group D match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers on Tuesday night.

The win not only revived Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the AFCON 2025, but also ensured the national team broke the 12-year jinx against Benin.

Andreas Hountondji put Benin ahead after 42 minutes at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. But the Amavubi returned a charged and determined team to level matters through Innocent Nshuti after 70 minutes, and later a penalty conversion by Djihad Bizimana five minutes later.

The win sent Rwanda to 5 points, one behind Benin. Nigeria who did not play their away match against Libya in Benghazi top the group with 7 points.

“I am very happy that my players came all out in the second half and played good football to win the game. I am excited about the attitude they showed and we need to keep working hard even for the remaining two matches,” added Spittler.

The German also made it clear that the local fans should learn to support the national team at all teams even when results are not positive. “The team also needs a lot of motivation by the support,” added Spittler.

The Amavubi will host bottom placed Libya on November 10 in Kigali, and later travel to face Nigeria eight days later in their last Group match.

Meanwhile, CECAFA’s other representatives Ethiopia suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea in a Group H match played in Ivory Coast on Tuesday night.

Ethiopia remains bottom of the Group with 1 points, while DR Congo who beat hosts Tanzania 2-0 on Tuesday already booked a place at the AFCON 2025. Guinea are in second place with 6 points, and Tanzania third with 4 points.

Collected results

Burundi 0 Burkina Faso 2

Kenya 0 Cameroon 1

Sudan 2 Ghana 0

Tanzania 0 DR Congo 2

South Sudan 1 Uganda 2

Rwanda 2 Benin 1

Ethiopia 0 Guinea 3