Preview: Benin vs. Rwanda - prediction, team news, lineups

Round three of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers sees Benin host Rwanda at Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday.

The hosts languish at the bottom of Group C without a win, while the visitors sit proudly at the top of the group.

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Match preview

Benin followed up a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in November with a goalless draw against Lesotho, leaving them with just a point in the World Cup qualifiers.

In March, the Cheetahs returned to action, engaging in international friendlies against AFCON winners Ivory Coast and Senegal, drawing with the former and losing to the latter.

Gernot Rohr's side have now gone 16 consecutive games without a win across all competitions, losing nine and drawing seven since a 4-0 friendly victory over Liberia in March 2023.

Benin will be looking to pick up their first win in this competition and end their winless run. They have a good record against Rwanda, winning three times, drawing twice and losing just once in six meetings.

Rwanda began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a drab goalless draw against Zimbabwe, but they followed it up with an impressive 2-0 victory against one of the group's favourites, South Africa.

Torsten Spittler's men have four points and lead Group C, harbouring the hope of a first-ever World Cup appearance.

Prior to the win over South Africa, the Wasps were without a win in six matches, but that match proved to be the turning point as they are now unbeaten in five consecutive matches.

Rwanda have a poor record against the hosts, but they are the form team and will be confident of getting a result in this clash, particularly as it takes place on neutral ground.

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Team News

Twenty-nine-year-old forward Steve Mounie, who has 16 goals in 51 senior caps, should lead the line for Benin.

Cedric Hountondji and Mohamed Tijani should form the centre-back pairing, while Junior Olaitan will be the man expected to anchor the midfield.

After finding the net in the win over South Africa, Innocent Nshuti should lead the line for Rwanda once again.

Gilbert Mugisha was also on target in that game and should be part of the midfield five once again.

Benin possible starting lineup: Allagbe; Kiki, Hountondji, Tirana, Assogba; Imourane, Dodo, D'Almeida, Olaitan; Mounie, Hountondji

Rwanda possible starting lineup: Ntwali; Omborenga, Manzi, Mutsinzi, Imanishimwe; Sahabo, Mugisha, Bizimana, Byiringiro, Niyonzima; Nshuti

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We say: Benin 1-1 Rwanda

Rwanda are proving to be a hard nut to crack in this competition and are in better form compared to Benin. The hosts are on a long winless streak and we think that the visitors will have the chance to earn a result here.

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

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