Amavubi will have to beat Djibouti by a margin of two goals on Thursday, October 31 if they are to sail through to the next round of the 2025 CHAN qualifiers.
"The Shore Men of the Red Sea" defeated Rwanda 1-0 in the first leg at Amahoro Stadium, on Sunday, October 27, and Frank Spittler’s side will at all cost have to overturn the deficit if they are to get to the next stage awaiting South Sudan or Kenya.
Many pundits were unimpressed by the first leg result as they were expecting Amavubi to capitalize on their home advantage and win both legs.
The defeat has, as a result, brought pressure on coach Torsten Spittler whose Amavubi future remains uncertain with his current contract set to expire in November.
Spittler has done a commendable job during his tenure; the team is now in contention to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, 2025 AFCON. A qualification for CHAN is also a possibility as long as they eliminate Djibouti who are standing in their way.
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Spittler sarcastically said that Amavubi job will be his last of his coaching career which he hinted that he could quit when his current deal expires.
However, local football governing body, FERWAFA, was never informed about his intention to leave the national team. It is also said that it was strategy by the coach to sway away public attention.
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Amavubi's immediate assignment is against Djibouti. On paper, it looks like is an easy task but in reality, it is a herculean task to overcome a Djibouti side which is transforming itself from minnows to dark horses, having naturalized a host of good players born from other countries.
Spittler has a litmus test to eliminate Djibouti from the CHAN qualifiers but failure to do so shouldn't get him sacked. The real is the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 World Cup which Amavubi is in contention.
In the space of one year, Amavubi have enjoyed a commendable improvement under the German tactician. He only needs maximum support from his employers, and Rwandans in general, to carry on from the good job he is doing.
Win or lose, whatever happens against Djibouti on Thursday, shouldn’t determine Spittler's future. He has done enough for the country and he deserves to be rewarded with a contract extension.