Amavubi has gotten their first win in the ongoing 2025 AFCON qualifiers following a 2-1 victory in their fourth Group D game.
Rwanda came from a goal down to beat Benin on Tuesday in the second leg of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Amavubi lost to Benin 3-0 in the first leg in Ivory Coast but put up a good fight to collect all three points in the second leg.
Rwanda started the match with a high press and was dominant in possession but a strong Benin side was composed as well in defending despite chances created by Amavubi.
Benin however took the lead in the 43rd minute of the match when Burnley forward Andréas William Edwin Hountondji slotted in an easy goal from a left flank cross giving Benin a first-half lead.
As the second half commences, coach Frank Spittler’s sides showed dominance to level the scoring through Innocent Nshuti’s perfect finish in the 70th minute.
Five minutes later, Bizimana Djihah (c) scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 which was the final score of the match.
The win was Rwanda’s first in the group and has increased their tally to 5 points from four matches.
Coach Spittler who has been finding it difficult to beat Benin finally put to an end to his winless run against the West African Nation.
Both Rwanda and Benin have played 8 Games since 2010. Among them, Rwanda won 1 game (Total Goals 3, PPG 0.4), Benin won 5 (Total Goals 14, PPG 1.8), and drew 2.
Amavubi sits third in Group D with five points, while Benin sits in second position with 6 points, a point behind leaders Nigeria who has 7 points.
Joseph M. Vincent