Preview: Rwanda vs. Libya – prediction, team news, lineups

Rwanda will host Libya in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday at the Amahoro Stadium hoping to secure a win to improve their chances of qualifying for the tournament.

Meanwhile, a win for the Mediterranean Knights could also help them stay in contention for AFCON qualification depending on the outcome of the second match in Group D.

Match preview

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After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Benin at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, which derailed their AFCON mission, Rwanda bounced back with a 2-1 home win over the same opponents a few days later.

Andreas Hountondji scored his second goal against the Wasps in as many games to give Benin the lead at the break but Torsten Spittler‘s men found five minutes of inspiration that saw Innocent Nshuti restore parity before Jihad Bizimana converted his spot kick to secure a first win in the qualifying series.

Before that, Rwanda recorded back-to-back draws in their first two matches against Libya and Nigeria, leaving them in third place with five points.

A win for the East Africans in their next match against Libya could see them rise to second spot if Benin fail to beat Nigeria, leaving them in pole position heading into the final qualifier away to Nigeria next week.

However, Rwanda has just one win against the Mediterranean Knights, a 3-0 home win in an AFCON qualifier back in 2014, but the hosts have lost five times, three of which were at home to the North Africans.

Libya were embroiled in a huge scandal during last month’s double-header against Nigeria after they left the Super Eagles stranded at the airport for over 12 hours, a few days after losing 1-0 in the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo .

Africa’s football governing body, CAF, investigated the incident and the North Africans were fined $50,000 while also forfeiting the three points.

Prior to the matches against Nigeria, Libya drew with Rwanda in their opening match before losing to Benin in their second match, leaving them with just one point after four matches.

The Mediterranean Knights need to win on Thursday and hope that Benin loses to Nigeria if they are to remain in contention for the AFCON ticket heading into their final game against Benin next week.

Rwanda Africa Cup of Nations qualification format:

Rwanda form (all competitions):

Libya Africa Cup of Nations qualification form:

Libya form (all competitions):

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US-based defender Phanuel Kavita and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari are among the foreign-based players called up to Rwanda.

Libyan-based defender Thierry Manzi is also in the squad and all eyes will be on Nshuti, who has scored two of the Wasps’ three goals in the AFCON qualifiers so far.

Libya’s coach Nasser Al-Hadhiri added the Al Olympi defender Moatasem Sabou and Al-Tahadi attacks Farhad Al-Masmari to his first team.

The Mediterranean Knights’ attack is expected to be led by Ahmed Kraouaawho are yet to open their scoring account in the AFCON qualifiers.

Rwanda’s possible starting line-up:
Ntwari; Niyomugabo, Niyigena, Mutsinzi, Ombolenga; Muhire, B Bizimana, Mugisha; G Mugisha, Kwizera, Nshuti

Libya’s possible starting line-up:
Al Wuhayshi; Elkouri, Yusuf, Erteiba, Al Mabrouk; Al Badri, Al Shreimy; Salama, Al Khoja, Al Gleib; Kraouaa

We say: Rwanda 1-0 Libya

Rwanda have been solid in the two home games they have played in the AFCON qualifiers and we believe their home form will help them in what is expected to be a close affair against a Libyan side struggling to stay in the fight for a place at the tournament.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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