Tosin Aiyegun’s late goal gives Benin a crucial victory over Rwanda and propels the World Cup group onto the final day
Benin defeated Rwanda 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Tosin Aiyegun, maintaining their lead above South Africa and Nigeria in Group C.
Benin ended the Amavubi’s Group C campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Thursday, preserving their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After both teams failed to generate clear-cut opportunities in a scrappy, physical match, the tense match at Amahoro Stadium appeared headed for a stalemate. Rwanda shown early promise by giving Claude Niyomugabo and Dijhad Bizimana half-chances to challenge the Benin defense, but they lacked accuracy in the last third.
At halftime, Benin coach Gernot Rohr made a significant substitution by replacing Jodel Dossou with striker Aiyegun Tosin. After Romaric Amoussou’s assist, Tosin took advantage of a defensive blunder between Rwanda’s backline and goalie to slot home the game-winning goal in the 81st minute, finally making the transfer pay off.
In the closing minutes, Rwanda made aggressive substitutions in an attempt to tie the score, but Benin’s defense, commanded by Washington Agbo, held strong. The visitors used tactical substitutions to slow down play in the closing minutes, and the hosts’ late comeback was unsuccessful.
The outcome ended Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and put Benin at the top of Group C with one game left.
