Rwanda hope to put their AFCON 2025 qualifying disappointment aside and turn focus on quest for what would be their first World Cup qualification ever when qualifier for the 2026 tournament resumes in March 2025. Amavubi, under the tutelage of German gaffer Torsten Spittler, proved to be a surprise package in Group C leading the pool which comprises six-time World Cup participants Nigeria, two time participants South Africa, Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Amavubi managed to collect 7 points from their past four games, having recorded 2-0 win over South Africa, 1-0 win over Lesotho, a goalless draw with Zimbabwe and a 1-0 defeat to Benin in Abidjan. So far, Spittler is building a winsome team and Amavubi are looking far from a finished product yet. You can at least see that it is a team in progress. The fact that the just concluded AFCON 2025 qualifiers saw Rwanda finished with 8 points but missed out on qualification due to goal difference is a big testament to Spittler's handiwork. The 2006 World Cup showed the whole world that sometimes it is not about the big names, but planning and determination. Angola had no big name in their squad but they made it ahead of Nigeria in the same group. For Togo, Adebayor singlehandedly sent them to Germany with 11 goals. Amavubi have got a good start and grabbing the ticket from Group C is not beyond their reach. They need to keep up the momentum and take every game like it's a final. Rwanda's next two games in the World Cup qualifiers are both scheduled at Amahoro Stadium against Nigeria and Lesotho. They are games Amavubi cannot afford to falter and they should go all out and get the 6 points. Having 13 points in the bag ahead of the away games against Nigeria in Uyo on September 1 and Zimbabwe on September 8 will bring down pressure. For now, the two home games against Nigeria and Lesotho are most important. Rwanda should collect the full 6 points. The team has shown they can get points away. It is four clear months until March 2025 for Rwanda to prepare for the qualifiers. The main problem the persists is goal scoring. Spittler should work assiduously on that and scan the globe to scout a top attacker of Rwandan descent. The likes of Noam Emeran of Groningen, Josias King Furaha of FK Jerv, George Lewis Ishimwe and others are all available. At the beginning of the World Cup qualifiers, it looked impossible as Amavubi hadn't won a single competitive game in over 2 years. However, from his first two games against Zimbabwe and South Africa, anyone who is into football and had followed the Africa zone of the World Cup qualification could easily see that qualification is possible. ALSO READ: WC 2026 Qualifiers: Kwizera's strike sinks Lesotho as Rwanda retain top spot Again, Nigeria, which is the biggest and most fancied team in the group, has always struggled against minnows. Countries such as Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Central Africa Republic and so forth have beaten them previously in qualifiers. This 2026 World Cup qualification has seen the Super Eagles drawing with Lesotho in Uyo, losing 2-1 to Benin and also drawing 1-1 with Zimbabwe and South Africa. ALSO READ: AFCON 2025 Qualification: Amavubi fall short despite stunning comeback against Nigeria As it stands now, Amavubi on 7 points and a plus of 2 games, just need to keep their momentum, score more goals, win all home games and concede less goals. People should not be surprised to see Rwanda at the World Cup 2026 which will be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
