Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Benin 2-1 in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers, marking their first win at the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium.
Rwanda trailed 1-0 at halftime after Edwin Hountondji’s goal. Coach Torsten Spittler’s substitution of Bosco Ruboneka for Jojea Kwizera created space for Captain Bizimana and the team, leading to a successful comeback.
In the second half, Rwanda dominated possession, and in the 70th minute, a long pass from Djihadi Bizimana found Emmanuel Imanishimwe in the box, who assisted Innocent Nshuti to equalize with a well-placed shot.
A minute later, Djihadi Bizimana, who was arguably the man of the match, was fouled in the box and confidently converted the penelty to complete the comeback.
This victory not only breaks a 13-year winless streak against Benin but also revitalizes Rwanda’s hopes in this campaign as it comes in response to a 3-0 defeat to the same opponent four days ago.
The last time Rwanda defeated Benin was October 2011, when Meddie Kagere scored a lone goal on his international debut to secure a 1-0 victory in the 2012 AFCON Qualifiers match held in Cotonou.
With 5 points, Rwanda now sits two points behind leaders Nigeria and one point behind Benin, while maintaining a four-point cushion above Libya, who are at the bottom of the group.
Rwanda’s next challenge will be against Libya on November 11 at Amahoro Stadium, before playing the group D final game away in Nigeria.
