Amavubi stings Benin to keep AFCON aspiration alive #rwanda #RwOT

The win was a much-needed boost, as Rwanda aims to claim a spot in the tournament after several setbacks in the qualifying rounds. With goals from Nshuti Innocent and Captain Bizimana Djihadi, scored just two minutes apart, the victory was a testament to Amavubi's fighting spirit and their refusal to bow out.

The game started on an intense note with Gilbert Mugisha attempting the first shot for Rwanda in the second minute, though it was comfortably saved by Benin's goalkeeper.

By the 7th minute, Emmanuel Imanishimwe also tried his luck, but once again, Benin's Souke Marcel was up to the challenge, catching the ball effortlessly.

Despite several promising opportunities and set pieces in the first ten minutes, Amavubi struggled to capitalize on these chances. Missed opportunities, particularly by forward Gilbert Mugisha, left fans frustrated as the team worked to find its rhythm.

In the 25th minute, a foul against Imanishimwe earned Rwanda a free kick, but the effort yielded no result. The first half saw Amavubi dominate possession, especially in the final 15 minutes, keeping Benin on their back foot and forcing the game into their half.

However, Rwanda's dominance wasn't reflected on the scoreboard. As the half drew to a close, Niyigena Clement received a yellow card, and Benin delivered a crushing blow with a goal from Andreas William in the 43rd minute.

His perfectly placed shot put Benin ahead, sending the teams into halftime with a 1-0 score line in favor of the visitors. Rwanda's hopes of qualifying seemed to fade as the first half ended with that narrow lead for Benin, but the second half told a different story.

Determined not to let the AFCON dream slip away, Amavubi came out stronger. The pressure mounted, and in the 75th minute, Nshuti Innocent brought the home crowd to life by scoring the equalizer with a tap in shot.

The excitement in the stadium was palpable, and the fans' energy only grew when, just a minute later, Captain Bizimana Djihadi stepped up to take a penalty, coolly converting it in the 77th minute to give Rwanda the lead.

The thunderous celebration that followed saw top government officials acknowledging the team's performance. The fans erupted in jubilation as Rwanda turned the game around in an extraordinary two-minute burst.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with the crowd throwing their full support behind the team as they held on to their slim lead.

Benin fought back fiercely, pushing for an equalizer in the final minutes of the game. However, Rwanda's defense held strong, with Fiacre in goal making critical saves to deny Benin any chance of leveling the score. In the four minutes of added time, Amavubi managed to resist Benin's efforts, securing a well-deserved victory.

The tension wasn't only on the field. After the final whistle, officials from Benin expressed their frustration with referee Andofetra Rakotojaona, accusing him of questionable decisions, especially regarding the penalty. Security had to intervene to escort the referee off the field safely, but the controversy did little to dampen Rwanda's celebrations.

In the other Group games, the fate of some teams remained uncertain. Nigeria, scheduled to play Libya, faced complications upon their arrival. With no clear directives from the hosts, Nigeria decided to retreat after just a day. CAF later confirmed the postponement of the match, stating in an official release.

'The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight. The matter will be referred to competent CAF bodies,' CAF said.
After the match, Rwanda's head coach, Torsten Frank, spoke about the challenges his team had faced and praised the players for their resilience.

'You see the quality of the other players. I told my players, I told them our opponents are five times better than us, but good enough our boys used their body physique to protect the ball. They knew that the higher you come, the better if you know your opponent,' said Torsten.

He continued, 'I'm happy about the result, and I had told them to utilize any empty space. I was especially happy with the boys in the second half. Nshuti did a great job today, and the way he was protecting and saving the ball was very impressive.'

With this vital win, Rwanda's dream of qualifying for AFCON 2025 is alive and well. The team's ability to turn the tide in such a crucial match serves as a beacon of hope for the remaining games in the qualification campaign. Amavubi Stars have shown that, despite the odds, they are determined to fight until the very end.