AFCON qualifiers: Bizimana allays pressure ahead of Benin game
Friday, October 11, 2024
Amavubi skipper Djihad Bizimana celebrates his goal during the 2025 AFCON qualification against Nigeria at Amahoro Stadium on September 10

Amavubi skipper Djihad Bizimana has insisted that there is no pressure on the team ahead of their game against Benin in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Scheduled to take place on Friday, October 11 at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, the game is the fourth encounter between the two teams in a space of two years.

In a press conference on Thursday, October 10, Bizimana stressed that the players on the national team are professional and therefore, coming up against Benin doesn't come with any pressure.

"There is no pressure; it is football. Even if we have to play Benin 10 times, we will do it. For us, it is good to be back, it is good to be here,” he said.

"We will try to win these two games. The only thing which can make us go to the AFCON is to win the two games. We are ready and we will go and fight for the points,” he added.

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Benin beat Rwanda 1-0 in June in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but Bizimana emphasized that it will be a different encounter on Friday as this will be in the AFCON qualifiers.

"It is two different games. Last time, it was the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This time it is AFCON. It is going to be difficult and challenging but we are in for it,” he pointed out.

Rwanda are currently third in Group D having recorded a 1-1 draw with Libya in Tripoli before holding Group leaders Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in Kigali. Benin on the other hand are second in the Group. They lost 3-0 to Nigeria before coming from behind to beat Libya 2-1 in Abidjan.