Five days after a 1-1 draw in Cotonou, Rwanda and Benin ended up with a point a piece again at Kigali Pelé Stadium. The Cheetahs got the lead in the 58th minute but Thierry Manzi’s header level up the score and share the spoils.
March 29, 2023 at Kigali Pelé Stadium, Rwanda draw Benin in the reverse leg of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match of Group L. Another draw that doesn’t help either Nations.
Raphael York missed a penalty kick that would have given Amavubi the lead 17 minutes after the start because it felt short in front of Saturmin Allagbe. Two minutes later, Fiacre Ntwali made a hilarious stop on a long-range free kick from Ishola Junior Olaitan to keep Rwanda in the match. They had a scoreless tie going into the interval.
Jodel Dossou scored the first goal for the Cheetahs 13 minutes after the half, taking advantage of Junior Olatan’s long pass to beat the Rwandan goalie and find himself in front of an empty net. No Mistake.
In the 71th minute, Amavubi bounced back to level up the score. Thierry Manzi scored a header from a set piece. Full time 1-1, the same results as the first leg
Gernot Rohr, the head coach of Benin, said in the post-game press conference that they had complained to CAF because Kevin Muhire, who should have been suspended for accumulating cards, was playing for Rwanda. On this issue, CAF has not yet made a decision.
With three points after four games, Amavubi must win the last two matches if they want qualify for the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
In this Group L, led by Senegal that has already secured a ticket with 12 points, Mozambique comes second with 4 points while Benin is still bottom with just two points.
Amavubi will host Mozambique in June before facing Senegal in the last game.
Benin XI: Saturnin Allagbe, Youssouf Amouda Assogba, Abdou Kaled Akiola Adenon, Cedric Yannick, Senami Hountondji, Mattéo Alrich Ahlinvi, Tosin Aiyegun, Enagnon David Kiki, Ishola Junior Olaitan, Francisco Dodo Abdel Dodji Dokou, Jodel Harold Oluwafemi Dossou, and Melvyn Doremus
Rwanda XI: Fiacre Ntwali, Ali Omar Serumogo, Ange Mutsinzi, Thierry Manzi, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Steve Rubanguka, Kevin Muhire, Raphael York, Fred Muhozi, Gilbert Mugisha, and Meddie Kagere
