The year 2024 has been a rollercoaster for Rwanda’s Amavubi, producing a mix of dashed hopes, success and inconsistencies coupled with an unpredictable coach who has been behind Rwanda’s transformation throughout the past 12 months.
Amavubi finished the previous year at the top of the Group C standings in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers after impressive results including their 2-0 stunning victory over South Africa back in November 2023.
That was credit to Frank Torsten Spittler whose impact was noticed right few months after succeeding Spanish coach Carlos Ferrer.
Spittler transformed Amavubi from their on-pitch performance to their mentality and, thanks to his job, Rwanda almost qualified for AFCON 2025, only to lose the ticket to Benin by goal difference.
Rwanda had endured tumultuous times and the win against South Africa gave the fans a glimmer of hope that things would be better.
How did 2024 start for Amavubi?
Amavubi's first assignment in 2024 were two international friendly games against Botswana and Madagascar.
Both help in Antananarivo, Rwanda played a goalless draw against Botswana before defeating Madagascar 2-0 at home courtesy of goals from Gilbert Mugisha and skipper Djihad Bizimana.
It was a major morale booster for Spittler and his men before resuming their World Cup qualifiers in June. Amavubi dominated Benin in Abidjan but lost 1-0. They bounced back to beat then Group leaders Lesotho 1-0 in South Africa through a Jojea Kwizera strike. The win saw Amavubi retaining their position at the top of Group C which also includes Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The subsequent months, starting from September, were Rwanda’s time for 2025 AFCON qualifiers. The East African nation started the campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Libya and a barren draw with Nigeria in Kigali before suffering a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Benin in Abidjan.
Rwanda’s qualification hopes dealt a major setback after the result in Abidjan but beating the same opponent 2-1 in Kigali boosted kept their hopes alive again. That was, however, not until Spittler’s side surprisingly lost 1-0 to Libya in Kigali.
Spittler’s men travelled to Uyo with little hope of winning beating Nigeria at home. They had it in their mind that a qualification was all over. But, against all odds, they won 2-1 to go 8 points level with Benin. The latter finished in second place on goal difference.
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Dashed hopes and heartbreaks
Amavubi had their own destiny in their own hands, they just needed to beat Libya at Amahoro Stadium or better still get a draw but it was actually the day Spittler got his tactics wrong and his side went on to lose. The packed to capacity crowd, clad in Amavubi colors, at the time walked out Amahoro Stadium disappointed as Rwanda failed to glitter.
Amavubi created as many as 10 chances and dominated proceedings but failed to utilize any of them. It was an eyesore as the clock ticked down. Each passing minute gave Libya hope and they eventually scored in the 84th minute through Fahd Mohammed. It was a moment of inconsistency on the part of Amavubi because defeating Benin and drawing with Nigeria in Kigali, everyone thought Libya would be no match but they lost the game.
Rwanda had an arduous task which was to beat Group leaders Nigeria in Oyo while praying that Libya would defeat Benin. Head coach Torsten Spittler emphasized after the defeat to Libya that it was one of those bad days where a team dominates possession but can't score. He was, however, optimistic that his side could shock Nigeria in Uyo.
And...they did.
Spittler went and beat the Super Eagles at their own backyard coming from a goal down to score two through Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti. Rwanda's fate was, however, decided by Libya who couldn't beat Benin at home. Both Amavubi and the Cheetahs ended up on 8 points but Rwanda could not sail through because of inferior goal difference.
It was probably the closest Amavubi had been to AFCON qualification since their debut appearance at the biennial tournament in 2004.
ALSO READ: Spittler hints at retirement when his Amavubi contract ends
Spittler's disciplinary rod
Amavubi coach Torsten Spittler is an unassuming character. He doesn't take any nonsense and Hakim Sahabo and Rafael York know that better than anyone. They are out of the team at least for the time being.
"The problem Hakim brings to the team is bigger than himself. I made him sleep in the same room with skipper Djihad Bizimana. He was advised and Djihad talked with him many times but he wasn't ready to change. For York, he lied and it nearly cost us. He said he was fit but he wasn't, I had to change him after 45 minutes against Benin in Abidjan and it affected us," Spittler explained as to why Sahabo and York were not invited to Amavubi for the AFCON qualifiers.
Football fans and the media were agitating for the return of Sahabo but Spittler, in one of his press conferences, sounded like the youngster will only return to the national team when he is no longer coaching Amavubi.
Unpredictable Spittler and contract standoff
Since Spittler took over Amavubi in November 2023, he made it clear that Rwanda shouldn't think about qualifying for the World Cup because of their position on the FIFA ranking.
"Countries below 100 positions should not think about qualifying for the world cup because it is unrealistic. We will just try and win every game if it can take us there," the German coach told the media in his first press conference as Amavubi coach.
As a matter of fact, he was swaying attention and it worked perfectly. There is no pressure on him and after four rounds of games, Rwanda are at the top of the table.
Spittler nearly qualified the team to AFCON, only to miss out on goal difference.
Again, he would repeatedly inform his intention of retiring going to retire when the media sometimes asked him about his future with Amavubi amid contract standoff with his employers.
But this was all meant to divert attention from his contract issues.
Spittler's contract issues aren’t settled yet. He recently left Kigali to celebrate festive holidays with his family in Germany. The Rwanda FA offered Spittler a new deal even before his first contract expired in November but he is yet to put pen to paper.
In the meantime, Jimmy Mulisa is handling the national team on interim role as the FA awaits the coach’s decision on his future.
A good year for Amavubi...overall
In all, it was a great year for Amavubi. The national team under Spittler isn't a finished product yet but one can see the team is progressing well.
Again, Amavubi are increasingly attracting Rwandan players born or raised abroad. This year has seen Jojea Kwizera, Marvin Kury and Phanuel Kavita committing to playing for Amavubi.
If Spittler eventually signs the contract extension, 2025 promises to be even better.