It will be an intriguing game at the Stade de l’Amitie in Cotonou as the Cheetah’s of Benin welcome the Amavubi of Rwanda in a 2023 AFCON Group L qualifier on Wednesday, March 22.
The pair faced off for the fifth time with Rwanda boasting one win against Benin’s two while one match ended in a draw. The first encounter was in the 2012 AFCON qualifier where Benin thrashed the Amavubi 3-0 in Kigali on October 9, 2010 before Rwanda also pulled a surprise 1-0 victory over in Cotonou on October 9, 2011.
The two countries met three years later after they were paired in the same group for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Rwanda drew 1-1 with Benin in Kigali on June 10, 2012 before losing 2-0 in the return leg in Cotonou on September 8, 2013.
The Amavubi are third in the Group with one point after drawing 1-1 with Mozambique and losing 1-0 to Senegal whereas the Cheetahs are bottom of the standings without a single point.
Rwanda needs to pick at least a point from the game knowing very well that Senegal could make mincemeat of Mozambique which will make the race to finish second still open. A defeat for Benin could, on the other hand, effectively end their dream of making it to the tournament in Cote D’Ivoire in January 2024.
Both teams have some fantastic individual players capable of deciding the game any time and we take a look at five key battles to watch ahead of the encounter.
Sessi D’Almeida vs Rafael York
It will be a battle worth watching in the middle of the pitch. Despite his versatility, York has mainly played as a central midfielder under Amavubi coach Carlos Alos Ferrer.
On Wednesday, he will likely come against Benin’s Sessi D’Almeida who plays his club football for FC Pau in the French Ligue 2.
Both players play the same style, they are tactically efficient and play with full of energy. When they operate through the middle, they dictate the pace of the game.
One has to effectively shut the other down in order to dominate the midfield and at the same time destroy the opposing side’s tactics.
Emmanuel Imanishimwe vs Stephane Sessegnon
The former Benin captain retired from international football in 2021 at the age of 38, but he is back to the side after being invited by new coach Gernot Rohr ahead of Rwanda clash.
Despite questions being raised by the Benin media on why he was invited, Rohr stood his ground as he explained that the veteran can decide the game with one moment of brilliance even if he plays 10 minutes.
Sessegnon, who mainly operates as a right winger will likely come up against Emmanuel Imanishimwe who is fast establishing himself as one of the best left backs on the African continent.
Imanishimwe plays his club football for Moroccan giants FAR Rabat and he is one of the key players in Amavubi setup who always lives up to expectations anytime he is on the field.
Coming up against an experienced player like Sessegnon on the flanks will be worth watching.
Ange Mutsinzi vs Steve Mounie
Ange Mutsinzi will battle Steve Mounie, an elegant forward who has already made a name for himself in the French Ligue 1 with FC Brest where he has banged in 22 goals in 77 games since 2020.
Mutsinzi is, on the other hand, a talented central defender who can put the brakes on any attacker on any day. He handled Sadio Mane for 93 minutes before conceding a 94th minute penalty in Amavubi’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal.
One key aspect of the battle between Mutsinzi and Mounie will be the aerial duel with the Rwandan standing at a giant frame of 1.93m while his counterpart also stands at 1.90m.
Meddie Kagere vs Khaled Adenon
Call it the battle of the veterans and you will not be far from right.
Kagere, 36, will be hunting goals and will have to go past 37-year-old central defender Adenon.
The two experienced players will lead their teams as captains for the game on Wednesday and their international football experience could be a decisive factor of the game.
Junior Olaitan vs Hakim Sahabo
The two young players, who both play their club football in France, are undoubtedly the future of their respective nations.
Olaitan, who plays for Chamois Niort in the French Ligue 2 has a playing style similar to Hakim Sahabo as both can play in offensive and central midfield and have flair.
Sahabo, 17, and Olaitan, 20, could be the main centre of attraction in the game.
The Lille midfielder will be given a more offensive role whereas Olaitan might be in central midfield as Gernot Rohr prefers a 4:2:3:1 formation which means they will directly face each other.
The battle between Sahabo and Olaitan could be another deciding factor in the mouthwatering clash.
