AFCON 2025 (Q): Benin look to restore confidence against Rwanda
Benin's Cheetahs want to reassure themselves against Rwanda before the final two rounds of AFCON 2025 qualifying in November.
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A decisive Benin ‐ Rwanda clash?
In the seven meetings between Benin and Rwanda so far, Benin have come out on top four times, against one Rwanda win and two draws. This Friday 11 and Tuesday 15 October, in AFCON 2025 qualifying, the two nations meet with different objectives.
Benin are chasing two wins that would put them on course for qualification. Rwanda need to close the gap in the table because, if things stayed as they are, their 3rd place in Group D would mean elimination. That is why the staff of both teams are working flat out to avoid slipping up.
Although Benin's Cheetahs are favourites on paper for this double-header, they will not take these games lightly. The Beninese will therefore need to give themselves every chance.
If Ivory Coast has been a happy hunting ground for Benin's Cheetahs, hosting Rwanda, again in Abidjan, comes at just the right time to restore confidence. “This is the third time we have played in Abidjan. We were lucky enough to win each time and we would like to keep that momentum going. Beating this Rwanda side won't be easy. It was already tough last June when we won 1-0, and it will be even tougher tomorrow. But we believe. The conditions in Abidjan are ideal, with magnificent pitches. We hope to have the backing of the Beninese living here and other supporters, as in the previous matches,” said the Cheetahs' head coach, Gernot Rohr.
Benin - Rwanda, the game Gernot Rohr cannot afford to lose
After the win over Libya in the previous round of AFCON 2025 qualifying, Gernot Rohr will this time try to secure his second win in these qualifiers. It adds pressure on the coach, whose side lost the first round before bouncing back strongly, notably with a 2-1 win over Libya in the second round.
If Friday's game ended in a win, it would bring real relief for the Cheetahs, who would then only need to avoid defeat in the return fixture next Tuesday in Kigali. On the other hand, if they were to lose to Rwanda in this game, the Benin national football team players would face a difficult situation and would need to score even more goals to hope to secure their ticket to AFCON 2025.
“Rwanda are a very good team, so we have to be careful. Their 0-0 draw against Nigeria is proof of what they can do,” said Gernot Rohr, who added that the group had chosen to show a better face in terms of commitment.