Rwanda line up Madagascar, Guinea international friendlies
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Rwanda will play two friendly matches against Madagascar and Guinea as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June- Photo by Olivier Mugwiza.

Rwanda’s Amavubi will play two friendly games against Madagascar and Guinea during the March international break, Times Sport has learnt.

Torsten Frank Spittler will use the occasion as part of Amavubi’s preparations for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa Qualifiers in June.

A reliable source from Rwanda FA told Times Sport that the Primus National League will take a two-week break for the national team to be able to play the friendlies which are scheduled between March 18 and 26.

One of officials at Rwanda FA said that, "many countries have requested for warm up matches against us but we have not confirmed all so we still have to choose but what I know, we will have matches on March 18 and March 26.”

But Times Sport understands that the federation has picked Guinea and Madagascar as their suitable opponents for the friendly matches.

Rwanda will first play Madagascar in Antananarivo on March 18 before facing Guinea on March 26.

It is reported that Spittler will summon the squad for the two fixtures the next week.

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Rwanda beat South Africa 2-0 and drew goalless against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches held in Huye in November 2023 to move at the top of Group C with 4 points.

AFCON 2023 semifinalists South Africa are second with three points while Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho follow with two points apiece. Benin finds themselves at the bottom with one point after two qualifying matches.

Rwanda returns to qualifying action in June when they visit Benin and Lesotho.

The CAF region for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers started in November 2023 and it will span a two-year period.

Africa will be represented by ten teams in the next edition of the world’s most prestigious showpiece which will take place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.