2012 Africa Nations Qualifiers
Oct. 9
Rwanda vs Benin
Burundi vs Ivory Coast

KIGALI - Sellas Tetteh is fully focused on Amavubi’s next assignment and says that a win over Benin will revive Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup which will be jointly held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Rwanda, drawn in Group H, got their qualification campaign off to a wobbly start following last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat in Abidjan against African giants Ivory Coast and desperately need a good result against Benin’s squirrels next month. The tie which is slated for October 9 will be played at Amahoro Stadium.

Speaking to Times Sport on Friday, Tetteh said, "We have no excuse for not winning our next game against Benin. It is a very important game for us and we cannot afford to drop more points.” 

"We now know our strong and weak points and have enough time to try and improve on areas that still fall short.” Tetteh, however, expects Benin to come out in full force.

"Benin is a strong side with much experience and good foreign-based players. I expect it to be a difficult game,” the Ghanaian added. Benin will head into the game with a point earned against Burundi.

Against Ivory Coast, Amavubi, who had fielded two professionals in Louis Aniweta and Boubakary Saddou struggled to make their presence on the pitch felt against a star-studded Ivory Coast side.

Following the wasps’ nervous start, the Elephants pounced on the opportunity when Manchester City’s recent signing Yaya Toure capitalized on indecisive defending from center-backs Didier Kapet and Boubakary Saddou to give the hosts the lead after just nine minutes.

Eight minutes later, Ivory Coast were back celebrating after Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou made the pair (Saddou and Kapet) look like real amateurs when he beat them to a loose ball to slot in a second.

Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue completed the rout on the 38th minute after emerging from the midfield to score the third goal.

Ivory Coast top the group with three points, Burundi and Benin are second with a point each while Amavubi languish at the bottom with zero points.

Rwanda is seeking a second appearance at Africa’s premier football tournament following their debut in 2004 in Tunisia.

Ends