Amavubi head coach Carlos Alos Ferrer insists Wednesday’s return leg clash against Benin at Kigali Pelé Stadium is a ‘must win’ as he pushes to keep Rwanda in contention for a ticket to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Côte d’Ivoire.

Rwanda are placed in Group L of the AFCON qualifiers alongside African champions Senegal, Mozambique and Benin.

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The team now sits third in their group with two points from three matches played and a win against Benin in Kigali would see them climb to second ahead of Mozambique who lost 1-0 to Senegal in Maputo on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday shortly after Amavubi’s final training session at Kigali Pelé Stadium, the Spanish-born tactician said, "We are playing Benin in a tough match. We want to win this match; we are not thinking about the first leg’s result or anything else.”

"We are playing at home and we know we are strong at home and we have to use that advantage. It will be a difficult match but we are ready,” he added.

Ferrer is sweating over the absence of wonder kid Hakim Sahabo in his team as the in-form forward is serving a one-match suspension after the forward was shown a red card during last week’s 1-1 draw against Benin in Cotonou.

"Losing our young player Hakim Sabaho was not good but we trust all players. Players want to prove that they can do better and we know they can do it,” he said.

"Everything is possible and, if we win tomorrow’s game, we hope, at this point, that things turn in our favour. We will see what the outcome is. We are realistic, we want to play a better game and win,” he added.

A win on Wednesday would boost Rwanda’s hopes of making a dream return to the AFCON Finals after 20 years. The last time Rwanda qualified for the tournament was in 2004.