World Cup qualifiers: Spittler picks positives from Amavubi defeat to Benin
Friday, June 07, 2024
Rwanda national team head coach Torsten Spittler.

Rwanda national team head coach Torsten Spittler says he is not happy with his side's 1-0 defeat to Benin at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Thursday night though he insists they can build on the second half performance.

Amavubi went down through a Dodo Doukou&039;s goal in the 37th minute and didn’t not recover despite putting up a dominant display in the second half.

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"We were not aggressive enough; we allowed them to play. They have good players and are physically strong. If you are not working enough, they can push you aside and this was what happened especially in the first half," Spittler said after the game.

"The second half was better for us; we came in strongly. Everyone can see we created some good chances. I think we can build on it. I must congratulate the German coach on the other side, they deserve the win,” he added.

He pointed out that the team can learn from its mistakes and get a better result against Lesotho on June 11.

The German tactician was full of praise for Rhode Island FC midfielder Jojea Kwizera who joined the team just two days before departure but put up a great performance when he came off the bench.

"I believe he can even do more, as he created some chances. I was not even expecting to use him in the game with Benin. Gilbert (Mugisha) was tired and so, I brought him on,” he said.

Rwanda will play against Lesotho at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa on June 11 in match day four of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.