Aiyegun Tosin’s Late Strike Lifts Benin Past Rwanda, Cementing Squirrels’ Command of Group C

KIGALI — On a tense night at a charged Stade Amahoro, where the pressure of World Cup dreams hung in the thin Rwandan air, Benin’s Aiyegun Tosin etched his name into the script of African football’s high-stakes qualifiers. With just ten minutes to play, Tosin’s well-timed finish silenced a hopeful home crowd and propelled Benin to a crucial 1-0 victory over Rwanda — a result that sends the Squirrels two points clear at the top of Group C with two matches left to play.

For the Rwandan Amavubi, it was a night that began with promise but ended in bitter disappointment. Suffering their third defeat of the campaign, Rwanda remain fourth in the standings and now face a daunting path if they are to keep their hopes of a maiden World Cup berth alive.

An Evening of Frustration and Fine Margins

From the opening whistle, the match was contested on a knife edge. Rwanda, backed by an expectant home crowd and buoyed by a recent 1-0 away victory over Zimbabwe, pressed forward with urgency. Midfield dynamo Djihad Bizimana set the tone with his tireless ball-winning, while Jojea Kwizera’s creative surges sought to unlock a disciplined Beninese defense.

Yet beneath the surface, Benin’s composure never wavered. Marshaled by the experienced Sessi D’Almeida — who would later receive a yellow for a heavy challenge in the 84th minute — the visitors absorbed pressure and waited for their opening.

Opportunities came at a premium. Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti flashed a half-chance wide from a set piece in the 52nd. At the other end, Benin’s talisman Steve Mounié, scorer in the previous qualifier against Zimbabwe, was closely watched and largely held in check by the Rwandan back line.

Turning Point: Tosin Seizes the Moment

The decisive sequence arrived in the 80th minute. With legs tiring and tension mounting, Benin’s bench made its move: Romaric Amoussou and Razack Rachidou entered to freshen the attack. Within seconds, a sweeping counterattack pried open the Rwandan defense. Amoussou, making an instant impact, swung a precise ball across the box where Tosin, ghosting between defenders, coolly slotted home the winner. Pandemonium erupted on the Beninese bench; Rwandan heads fell.

Rwanda pressed for an answer in the dying minutes, pushing numbers forward and earning a dangerous free kick in stoppage time. But Benin’s defense, unflappable all night, repelled each advance. A late foul by Yann Roche in the 90+3rd minute underscored the hosts’ growing frustration.

The Stakes and the Standings

With this victory, Benin secure their third consecutive win in qualifying — following a 4-0 rout of Lesotho and the narrow home triumph over Zimbabwe — and now stand atop the group with 14 points from 8 matches. South Africa remain level on points but trail on goal difference, having played the same number of fixtures. Nigeria, dogged by recent draws, sit three points behind.

Rwanda, despite flashes of promise in this campaign and that vital win in Harare last month, are now two points adrift of the top two with only three wins from eight qualifiers. Their goal difference stands even, underlining a campaign defined by slim margins and missed opportunities.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

This victory marks a significant moment in the Benin–Rwanda head-to-head, with the Squirrels unbeaten in their two meetings this campaign. For Benin, it is further evidence of their clinical edge, having now won three straight by shutout — a testament to the defensive platform built by coach Gernot Rohr.

Rwanda, meanwhile, have alternated between lows and highs in recent qualifiers: a valiant win in Harare bookended by two narrow defeats, first away to Nigeria, now at home to Benin.

What Lies Ahead

The road to North America 2026 narrows from here. Benin, galvanized by their current form and group position, will know that destiny is in their hands. Yet with South Africa matching them stride for stride, any falter could prove costly. Nigeria, wounded but not eliminated, linger with hopes of a late surge should the leaders stumble.

Rwanda are left to reckon with the cruel arithmetic of qualifying football. For the Amavubi, every match from here is a must-win. Redemption may yet be found, but tonight, on home soil, the margin for error has vanished.

As the Amahoro Stadium’s bright lights faded and the Beninese squad celebrated in the Kigali night, the echoes carried a clear message: in African World Cup qualifying, moments matter, and for now, Benin have seized theirs.