The national football team head coach, Frank Spittler, has announced a 38-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin in October. ALSO READ: 8 things we learned from Amavubi’s draw against Nigeria’s Super Eagles Unveiled on Friday, September 27, the squad will be further trimmed later to come up with fewer players who will be tasked with the duty of facing Benin in a double-header as Rwanda looks to secure a place in the continental tournament since 2004. The first leg will take place on October 11 in Benin, while the return leg is scheduled for October 15 at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The provisional squad features a mix of regular players, returnees, and some fresh faces. Among the new call-ups are Kury Johan Marvin, currently playing for Yverdon Sport FC in Switzerland, and Salim Abdallah from Musanze FC. Also returning to the squad is Anicet Ishimwe, who recently joined Olympique de Béja in Tunisia, alongside forward Abeddy Biramahire, now at Clube Ferroviário de Nampula in Mozambique. Coach Spittler emphasized the need to balance the squad with young talent, mentioning that younger players like Pacifique Ngabonziza have been included to provide opportunities for development. The national team is set to begin camp on Monday, September 30, in preparation for the qualifiers. Rwanda currently sits in the third place of group D with two points, two points behind group leaders Nigeria and one point behind second placed Benin. Full Squad Goalkeepers: Clement Buhake, Fiacre Ntwari, Adolphe Hakizimana, Gad Muhawenayo and Patience Niyongira Defenders: Fitina Omborenga, Jean Gilbert Byiringiro, Claude Niyomugabo, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Ange Mutsinzi, Thierry Manzi, Clément Niyigena, Aimable Nsabimana, Yunusu Nshimiyimana, Christian Ishimwe and Jean Hirwa. Midfielders: Djihad Bizimana, Jean Bosco Ruboneka, Siméon Iradukunda, Bonheur Mugisha, Fabio Nkundimana, Steve Rubanguka and Pacifique Ngabonziza Forwards: Jojea Kwizera, Ramadhan Niyibizi, Olivier Dushimimana. Gilbert Mugisha, Hadji Iraguha, Samuel Guelette, Hakim Hamiss, Innocent Nshuti, Arthur Gitego, Taiba Mbonyumwami, Kevin Muhire, Serge Kabanda, Johan Marvin Kury, Abdallah Salim, Anicet Ishimwe and Abeddy Biramahire.
