Amavubi captain Djihad Bizimana has said that Rwanda deserved a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations (2025) finals in Morocco and admits that Libya loss in Kigali prevented them from making their dream a reality.

Rwanda came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 in Uyo on Monday, November 18, but they fell short of a qualification for the AFCON 2025 finals on goal difference. They finished group in third place, tied on 8 points with second placed Benin who secured the ticked on goal difference.

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"We are disappointed with the outcome. We really deserved to qualify but we have to look forward and plan for the future,” Bizimana said.

Bizimana admits that Rwanda’s 1-0 loss to Libya came to haunt them and eventually lost the ticket to Benin.

Against Libya, Rwanda had so many attempts but the team failed to convert them and the skipper said it cost them the match.

"We made mistakes in defense against Libya which led to conceding a goal, but everyone saw how we responded after falling behind and beat Nigeria at their home,” he said.

"We should have finished off the game early against Libya as we did against Nigeria, we created enough scoring chances to win it, but we failed to score against Libya. We have learnt a lesson and we need to start afresh.”

Rwanda will be looking to turn focus on the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers when they resume in March 2025.