Rwanda Vs Benin

Rwanda and Benin are set to renew hostilities as they face off in a pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clash at the Amahoro National Stadium on Tuesday. This encounter follows a crushing 3-0 defeat for Rwanda at the hands of Benin in their last meeting over the weekend, where the Wasps' hopes of qualifying for the prestigious continental tournament took a significant blow. Tuesday’s match provides Rwanda with a chance to turn the tide, while Benin will be eager to solidify their dominance in Group D and secure back-to-back victories.

This article provides a comprehensive and in-depth look into the build-up to the game, the recent form of both teams, and the key talking points as the race for AFCON qualification heats up.

A Tough Road for Rwanda: Recent Struggles in AFCON Qualification

Rwanda’s road to the 2025 AFCON has been anything but smooth. Their most recent setback came on Friday, where they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Benin in the first of their two consecutive October clashes. Playing at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the Wasps were outplayed from the outset, with Augsburg striker Steve Mounié opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute. Benin's early lead set the tone for the match, and despite Rwanda’s attempts to respond, they found themselves overwhelmed by the visitors' attacking prowess.

Hassane Imourane doubled Benin’s lead in the second half, and substitute Andreas Hountondji added further gloss to the scoreline, capping off a resounding victory for the Cheetahs. Rwanda was left to rue a performance that saw them outclassed, with defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in attack proving costly.

The defeat added to Rwanda’s ongoing struggles in their AFCON qualifying campaign, where they have yet to secure a win. Before their loss to Benin, the Wasps had managed two consecutive draws, including a hard-fought goalless stalemate against Nigeria in Kigali on September 10. Although holding a team of Nigeria’s caliber to a draw was seen as a positive result, Rwanda’s lack of victories has placed them in a precarious position in Group D.

Under head coach Torsten Spittler, Rwanda has now gone 10 AFCON qualifying matches without a win, a run stretching back to March 2021 when they scraped a 1-0 victory over Mozambique. In those 10 games, they have suffered three defeats and drawn seven times, with their inability to turn draws into wins proving to be a significant obstacle in their quest for AFCON qualification.

Currently ranked 130th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, Rwanda’s hopes of securing a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament are hanging by a thread. The team has only qualified for the continental showpiece once in their history, back in 2004, and with their winless streak continuing, Spittler and his players face a daunting task as they prepare for Tuesday’s crucial fixture. A victory against Benin is not only essential for their qualifying campaign but also for restoring some much-needed confidence.

Benin’s Resurgence Under Gernot Rohr: Building Momentum Towards AFCON Qualification

In contrast to Rwanda’s struggles, Benin is experiencing a resurgence under the guidance of German coach Gernot Rohr. Friday’s 3-0 victory over Rwanda was another step in the right direction for the Cheetahs, who are on a mission to return to the AFCON for the first time since 2019. During that tournament, they made a remarkable run to the quarter-finals, showcasing their potential on the continental stage.

Rohr, who took over as head coach earlier in the year, has been tasked with rebuilding the team and steering them through the AFCON qualification process. Benin’s campaign started on a sour note with a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Nigeria on September 7, 2024. However, the team has since bounced back in impressive fashion, securing back-to-back victories over Libya and Rwanda to rise to second place in Group D.

Their recent form has been nothing short of impressive, with Friday’s result marking Benin’s fourth win in their last five matches across all competitions. This run of form includes a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers back in June, a result that underlined Benin’s growing reputation as a team capable of competing with Africa’s elite. The Cheetahs have also been solid defensively, keeping two clean sheets in their last three games, which will give them confidence heading into Tuesday’s clash.

Rohr’s tactical approach has been instrumental in Benin’s revival. The German coach, known for his pragmatic style, has emphasized defensive solidity and efficient counter-attacking play. Against Rwanda, this strategy was on full display as Benin absorbed pressure before exploiting Rwanda’s vulnerabilities on the break. Mounié’s early goal came from a swift counter-attack, and Benin continued to create chances by capitalizing on Rwanda’s defensive lapses.

The combination of experienced players like Mounié and emerging talents like Imourane and Hountondji has given Benin a balanced squad capable of achieving their AFCON qualification goals. With Rohr at the helm, the Cheetahs appear to be on course to secure their place in Ivory Coast for the 2025 tournament, and Tuesday’s match presents them with an opportunity to take another significant step toward that goal.

Head-to-Head: Benin’s Dominance Over Rwanda

When looking at the recent history between Rwanda and Benin, the odds seem to be stacked against the Wasps. Benin has dominated this fixture in recent years, going unbeaten in their last six meetings with Rwanda. This run includes four wins and two draws, with Rwanda’s last victory over Benin coming back in October 2011 when they secured a 1-0 win. Since then, it has been one-way traffic, with Benin consistently getting the better of their East African opponents.

In their previous encounter on Friday, Benin’s dominance was once again evident. The Cheetahs were clinical in front of goal and defensively robust, allowing Rwanda few opportunities to get back into the game. For Rwanda to reverse this trend, they will need to put in a vastly improved performance on Tuesday and find a way to break down Benin’s organized defense.

The Stakes for Tuesday’s Clash: What’s at Risk?

For both teams, Tuesday’s match carries significant implications for their AFCON qualification campaigns. For Rwanda, it represents a last-ditch effort to keep their hopes alive. A defeat would all but end their chances of qualifying for the tournament, while a victory would reignite their campaign and provide a platform for further success in their remaining fixtures.

Rwanda’s manager, Torsten Spittler, will be aware that his side needs to play with more urgency and precision if they are to turn things around. The Wasps have shown glimpses of their potential, particularly in their draw against Nigeria, but they must find a way to convert those positive moments into tangible results.

Offensively, Rwanda will be looking to the likes of forward Jacques Tuyisenge and midfielder Meddie Kagere to provide the spark needed to break down Benin’s defense. Tuyisenge, who has been one of Rwanda’s standout players in recent years, will need to rediscover his goal-scoring touch if Rwanda is to come away with a much-needed victory.

For Benin, the stakes are also high. Currently sitting in second place in Group D, just one point behind leaders Nigeria, a win would propel them into pole position and put them within touching distance of securing a spot in the 2025 AFCON. With Nigeria expected to maintain their strong form, Benin cannot afford to slip up, and they will be fully aware of the importance of maintaining their momentum.

Rohr will likely stick with the same formula that has brought Benin success in recent matches, relying on a solid defensive foundation and the goal-scoring threat of Mounié to see them through. The Cheetahs will also be motivated by their recent record against Rwanda, knowing that they have had the upper hand in this fixture for over a decade.

Conclusion: A Decisive Battle Awaits

Tuesday’s encounter between Rwanda and Benin promises to be a decisive moment in both teams’ AFCON qualification campaigns. For Rwanda, it is a must-win game, with their hopes of reaching the 2025 tournament hanging in the balance. For Benin, it is an opportunity to solidify their place at the top of Group D and move closer to securing their spot in Ivory Coast.

Both teams will be eager to put in a strong performance, and while Benin goes into the game as favorites, Rwanda cannot be underestimated, especially on home soil. The Wasps will need to summon all their resilience and belief if they are to overcome the odds and claim a crucial victory in front of their home fans.