Thursday, November 14 Rwanda vs Libya Venue: Amahoro Stadium Kick-off: 6pm CAT Rwanda welcome Libya to Amahoro Stadium on Thursday, November 14, in crunch Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifier which could decide either side’s fate as road to Morocco reaches a crucial stage. Rwanda sit in third place with 5 points, a point shy of second placed Benin. The two countries are in fierce battle for the ticket to the AFCON 2025 finals, with Nigeria looking destined to secure the other ticket with just a single draw out of their remaining two matches. It is still a tough road for Frank Spittler’s men but former players like Olivier Karekezi, Eric Nshimiyimana, Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, believe beating Libya would be turning point to walk through it all the way to the AFCON 2025 finals. Here is what they had to say ahead of Libya clash: Olivier Karekezi (2000-2013) Karekezi is Rwanda’s all-time top scorer with 25 international goals. He was part of the historic team that took part in the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. The former Amavubi captain said that confidence is all that players need to beat Libya, just like they did in their 2-1 comeback win against Benin. I’m confident they can get out and win the game because they have shown that they are good players and prepared well. It is one game which is not easy and all the team is strong but Rwanda are also not easy to play against especially at home. Players only need to give their best,” Karekezi said. ALSO READ: Spittler impressed by Kavita's qualities “The players and fans need not to waste precious chances, and they need to focus on the task ahead of them, in a match that would determine whether Rwandans can dream of qualifying,” he added Eric Nshimiyimana (Amavubi player 1996-2004, coach 2009-2010 & 2013-2014) Nshimiyimana featured for the only Amavubi side to have played in the lone AFCON tournament that the country participated in, alongside Karekezi. There was so much sacrifice to achieve that historic milestone two decades ago but he backs the current team can make history repeat itself. Nshimiyimana said that Amavubi have showed signs of great improvement in past matches and is optimistic that, with the home support, they can overcome Libya to keep the qualification dream alive. However, he warned that Libya shouldn’t be underrated, hence calling the team to make the best of the home advantage to win the match at any cost. “We have home advantage and have the support from the fans during the entire game, so players have to give their best,” Nshimiyimana said. ALSO READ: Bizimana calls for Rwandans’ support ahead of Libya clash Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza ‘Migi’ (Amavubi 2006-2020) Like Karekezi and Nshimiyimana, Mugiraneza also trusts Spittler’s side can finish the job in Kigali and they must prove it by beating any team regardless of their football status. We have to beat big teams if we have to raise the level of our game. We have quality players and I believe they can do very well against any team in their group,” said Mugiraneza. Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye (2007-2023) But the players need to be confident, to have a winning mentality, according to Bakame. “And, by making the most of home advantage, Rwanda has the capacity to beat any team,” the former Amavubi goalkeeper said. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Nshuti on target as Rwanda hold Libya in Tripoli “When you believe, you can achieve, and so Amavubi players must believe that they can actually beat Libya.” Bakame added Nigeria is leading Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with 6 points. Rwanda closely lags behind in third place with 5 points while Libya are fourth and last with 1 point. The ticket to Morocco remains up in the air and either side in Group D still stands a chance.
