Rwanda’s national football coach, Torten Frank Spittler has voiced his displeasure regarding the upcoming qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Amavubi of Rwanda have been drawn to face Nigeria and Benin Republic once again, alongside Libya, in their quest for AFCON qualification.

Adding to Rwanda’s challenge, they also share a group with Nigeria and Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“It’s actually a little bit sad that we have two teams in the group, Nigeria and Benin, with whom we are playing in the same group in the World Cup qualifier, but it is what it is,” Spittler remarked.

Head coach of Benin Republic Gernot Rohr.(Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

The six-match qualifying series will unfold over the FIFA windows in September, October, and November, with two matches scheduled in each seven-day window.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to release the detailed fixtures soon.

Next year’s AFCON is set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, following CAF’s decision to adjust the tournament’s schedule due to a congested FIFA calendar.