Huye Stadium to host Rwanda v Benin AFCON qualifier
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
A view of Huye stadium during a 1-0 match between Rayon and APR. CAF has given Huye Stadium the green light to host Amavubi’s next AFCON qualifier against Benin slated for March 27. Olivier Mugwiza

The Confederation of African football (CAF) has given Huye Stadium the green light to host Amavubi’s next AFCON qualifier against Benin slated for March 27.

The development was confirmed to Times Sport on Wednesday, February 22, by Rwandan Football governing body Secretary General ,Henry Muhire.

"Yes, it is true we will host the Benin match at Huye Stadium,” said Muhire.

"We’re only permitted to host the (Benin) match because renovation works must continue on different facilities including hotels around the stadium,” he added.

Muhire said they are confident that Amavubi will play all their AFCON Qualifiers home fixtures in Rwanda as they have enough time to fulfil all requirements before the qualifiers resume in June when Rwanda play the return leg against Mozambique.

"The stadium itself is ready but, as you know, it requires you to have good hotels to host international games and that doesn’t happen in one week or a month. Hotel owners had to ship some equipment from abroad to upgrade their hotels but that will not be an excuse ahead of June qualifiers,” Muhire explained.

ALSO READ: Huye Stadium ready to host games

Amavubi, currently third in Group B with one point after two qualifying games, play their return leg games against Mozambique on June 12 and Senegal on September 4.

They will have to win the two fixtures if they are to qualify for the 2023 AFCON finals that will take place in Cote D'Ivoire in January 2024.

The country has not qualified for the continental football showpiece since 2004.