Rwanda will play their first away 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, June 6.
The mouth-watering clash promises to be a tale of two German coaches Torsten Spittler and Gernot Rohr who have vast experience on the touchline.
During the pair’s past four meetings, dating back to June 10, 2012, three of them ended in 1-1 draw each while Benin recorded one win.
Times Sport takes a look at five things that Rwanda can do to pick the three maximum points against Benin in Abidjan.
Pass long balls to Gilbert Mugisha
It is that time when Amavubi players got to know Gilbert Mugisha’s style of play and how to always get the best out of him in games.
Mugisha has scored three times in his last six games for Amavubi and all his goals came in similar fashion. He fancy latching on to long balls where he outruns his marker and scores.
He did it against Benin in Cotonou through a long ball from Hakim Sahabo and, against South Africa in Huye, he latched on to 65 yards pass from Ange Mutsinzi before finishing brilliantly.
He also netted from a sublime 45 yards pass from Kevin Muhire when Rwanda beat Madagascar 2-0 in an international friendly held in Antananarivo.
The players, especially good passers of the ball, should always try and find Mugisha with surging balls and, with his pace as his greatest weapon, he can outrun his markers and finish brilliantly.
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Put the ball on the ground
The Cheetahs of Benin are very robust and aggressive. They play more physically which has been in their football DNA over the years.
Spittler’s men should try and dominate ball possession more so as to get set-pieces in vital areas because, that way, they can be fouled on many occasion.
They can even force the home side to attract cards if they hold the ball and it could potentially go a long way to disintegrate them.
Rwanda must concentrate for 90 minutes
Amavubi haven&039;t conceded a goal in their last four games and this has been largely due to full concentration. The players should have adequate focus in order to keep another clean sheet.
The defenders should avoid any mistakes at the back and play with full attention just like they have done in their previous four matches.
Get hold of Steve Mounie
The Stade Brestois skipper is Benin's danger man, he is a complete striker with pace, aerial ability, footwork and he has an eye for goal.
Mounie scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Rwanda in Cotonou in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari emphasized that he is the best striker he has ever faced.
Therefore, Ange Mutsinzi should police him for 90 minutes as he can cause havoc with just one moment of individual brilliance. If Mounie is kept at bay, 90 percent of the job is done.
Get an early goal
An early goal in the away fixture will be very crucial for Amavubi as it can put pressure on Benin. During their 1-1 draw with Benin in Cotonou on March 22, 2023, Rwanda scored in the 12th minute and the home side had to chase the game before equalizing in the 82nd minute.
The early goal will further boost the confidence of Amavubi players as they will be in the driving seat. They can then adopt strategies to increase the tally or hold on to the lead.