The Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan will host the 2026 World Cup qualifiers between Benin and Rwanda as both teams eye three maximum points at stake. Rwanda lead Group C with four points while Benin are bottom of the group standings with 1 point. A win for Amavubi will cement their place at the top of the table after match day 3 while the same result would see Benin tied with Rwanda on points. Both teams have great talents at their disposal and Times Sport takes a look at five players who could decide the outcome of the game. Djihad Bizimana The 2023/24 season has arguably been arguably the best for Djihad Bizimana since he started his professional career throughout his stay in Europe. The FC Kryvbas midfielder played 28 out of team’s possbile 30 games in the Ukrainian Premier League scoring twice and providing one assist as his side finished 3rd to secure a Europa League spot. Bizimana's form has transcended into the national team as he has been one of the outstanding players. He was exceptional against Zimbabwe and South Africa before putting up a man of the match performance against Botswana and Madagascar in friendly games in which he netted a splendid long range effort. The Amavubi skipper’s impeccable form could be the deciding factor of the game. ALSO READ: 2026 WC Qualifiers: Nshuti and Mugisha fire Rwanda past South Africa Steve Mounie The 29-year-old striker remains the heart and soul of the Cheetahs and he is the player who gets the job done for them. Mounie’s 6 goals and 2 assists in 32 games may not have been enough for French Ligue 1 side Stade Brestois this season but his national team numbers prove how important he is for Benin where he scored 14 goals in 45 games. He scored against Rwanda in Cotonou in 2023 during the AFCON qualifiers and, if he is not handled well, he can cause havoc again. Gilbert Mugisha The APR forward has established himself as Amavubi’s live wire upfront and he has been clinical recently scoring three times in his last six appearances. After a torrid first round of the 2023/24 season where he was sparingly used by APR manager Thierry Froger, Mugisha burst to life in February 2023 and he became the Frenchman’s best player before the season ended in May. The Rayon Sports product netted six goals in the second round of the 2023/24 season and he promises to continue his fine scoring form in the national team jersey. Sessi D'Almeida A ball playing holding midfielder, D'Almeida is the engine of the Benin team as he dictates the pace of the game. He had a fine 2023/24 season with French Ligue 2 club FC Pau playing 33 games and scoring once. D'Almeida is the fulcrum which the Benin team revolves around and if he flourishes, the team excels. Hakim Sahabo Most Benin fans can’t quickly forget Sahabo for his 40-yard cross-field pass to Gilbert Mugisha in the 12th minute for the opener when the two sides met in March 2023. Sahabo has had a fruitful 2024 after being promoted to the Standard Liege senior team. He made 18 appearances for Liege in all competitions in the second round of 2023/24 and he looks more matured now. One moment of brilliance from the 18-year-old attacking midfielder can decide the outcome of the game. Fiacre Ntwari The Amavubi goalkeeper will surely have good memories of playing against Benin because it was a game which brought him into limelight when TS Galaxy started to scout him. Against Benin, in Cotonou on March 22, 2023, it was virtually Ntwari against the Cheetahs’ attack as he pulled as many as 10 saves to keep his side in the game which ended 1-1. TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi unintentionally watched the game as he was flipping his DSTV channel and watching Ntwari’s impressive performance between the posts made him sign him. Against the same opponent on Thursday, June 6, Ntwari will be aiming to go all out again and put up another man-of-the-match performance.
