Rwanda with the win picked up five points from four matches and are now a point behind second-placed Benin
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Amavubi of Rwanda have thrown Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying series open after coming from behind to beat Benin Republic 2-1 in Kigali.
With the result, Rwanda now have five points from four matches, a point behind second-placed Benin and two points away from the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who remained top of the group.
The Cheetahs of Benin, under former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute of the encounter.
However, the home team drew level in the 70th minute, and went on to snatch the winning goal through a controversial penalty four minutes later.
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Despite the Confederation of African Football’s intervention and decision to cancel Nigeria’s’ encounter against Libya, after they were allegedly held hostage by the North African country for over 12 hours, the Super Eagles remained top of the standings without kicking a ball.
Libya on the other hand are bottom of Group D with a point from three matches.
Next month, Benin Republic will first welcome Nigeria to Abidjan, before the Super Eagles host Rwanda in a final group game in Uyo to round of the qualification race.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has started investigating the troubling ordeal faced by Nigeria’s national football team at a Libyan airport after they arrived in the country for a 2025 AFCON qualifier.
Addressing the development, the African football governing body via a statement on its website said, “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
