“A little bit sad” – Rwanda boss unhappy with drawing Nigeria, Benin in AFCON 2025 qualifiers

Rwanda’s head coach, Torsten Frank Spittler, has expressed his disappointment with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying draw, Soccernet.ng reports.

Rwanda, also known as the Amavubi, will face Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Libya in a challenging Group D. This is not the only time Rwanda will meet Nigeria and Benin, as they are also in the same group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Spittler has led Rwanda to a strong start in the World Cup qualifiers. The Amavubi have won two games and drawn one out of their four matches, sharing the top spot in Group C with South Africa and Benin.

They are currently ahead of Nigeria by four points and are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history. However, only one of the six teams in Group C can make it to the World Cup, making their mission a tough one.

The AFCON qualification seems more attainable, as the top two teams from the group will secure a spot in the tournament set to take place in Morocco in 2025.

Rwanda have only participated in the AFCON once, which was 20 years ago. Since then, they have missed the last ten editions.

Coach Spittler is eager to guide Rwanda back to the AFCON but acknowledges the challenge posed by being grouped with former champions Nigeria and familiar opponents Benin.

Amavubi head coach reaction after #AFCONQ2025 draw.

The battle to qualify set to start in this coming September during FIFA window.

Umutoza w’Amavubi yagize icyo avuga nyuma ya Tombola yo guhatanira kuzitabira Igikombe cya Afurika cyo mu 2025. pic.twitter.com/SHryFiuYgX— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) July 5, 2024

“It’s actually a little bit sad that we have two teams in the group, Nigeria and Benin, with whom we are playing in the same group in the World Cup qualifiers. But it is what it is,” Spittler said.

The AFCON 2025 qualifiers will begin in September.