Benin managed to record their first point in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers as they came from a goal down to force a hard fought 1-1 draw against ten-man Rwanda in their engrossing Group L match played on Wednesday evening at the Stade de I’Amitie in Cotonou.In the match that was entirely dominated by the home side, super substitute Steve Mounie managed to help his side get something out of the game as his 82nd minute strike canceled out Gilbert Mugisha’s early strike thirteen minutes in that had put Rwanda on course for their first win in the group stages.#AFCON2023Q FULL TIME🇧🇯Benin 1-1 Rwanda🇷🇼⚽ Steve Mounie 82′ | Mugisha Gilbert 13’Group L Standings1. Senegal 6pts2. Mozambique 4pts3. Rwanda 2pts3. Benin 1pts#ishushotvsports #freshandfun pic.twitter.com/aiNeeojysI— Ishushotv Official (@ISHUSHOTV) March 22, 2023 Just five minutes into the game, former Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere should have given his team the lead when a poor Benin clearance bounced off against one of the defenders only to fall straight onto his path but the striker fluffed his lines as he failed to even trouble the keeper with his final ball curling way over to the keeper’s right.However, just nine minutes later, Gilbert Mugisha, albeit through some stroke of luck, atoned for Kagere’s miss when he rolled the ball into the back of an empty net to put Rwanda ahead.After receiving an intricate ball from Rafael York, the APR forward saw his first shot on goal saved by Benin keeper Saturnin Allagbe but the ball fell perfectly onto his path leaving him with an easy tap as he wheeled off in celebrations.##NAJAVA_MECA_7117953##Set back by the early opener, Benin pushed forward in search of an equalizer in front of an appreciable home crowd in Cotonou and almost found it just six minutes after conceding when Hassane Imourane was spotted in the box with a pin point free kick taken by Jodel Dossou.The 19-year-old however failed to direct his header into either side of the goal as Fiacre Ntwali punched the ball out for a corner.In their frantic efforts to restore parity, it is Rwanda who came close to doubling their lead on the 29th minute against the run of play when Kevin Muhire’s curling effort agonizingly came off the bar after beating the outstretched and thankful Allagbe in the Benin goal.Muguna, Odada, Marcelo elated at National Team ReturnThe encounter quickly turned into an end to end contest as both teams exchanged good chances to score, Benin first coming close to finding an equalizer but their attempt was cleared off the line as Rwanda broke away in a deadly counterattack in the next phase of play only for Allagbe to heroically put his body on the line to keep the score at only one goal that Rwanda took into the break.In the second half, it is Benin who came out guns blazing as they subdued the Rwandese into their defensive third with their relentless pressure for an equalizer.Transfer Ban Woes: Gor Mahia coach skeptical about liftingOn the hour mark, Rwanda’s already hard task was made even steeper as they were reduced to ten men when Hakim Sahabo was shown a second yellow card for two unnecessary bookings.With the numerical advantage, Benin finally got the fruits of their incessant pressure as former Huddersfield striker Steve Mounie fired in a thunderbolt with just eight minutes left on the clock to give his side a lifeline.Despite their late pressure, Rwanda managed to weather the storm as they shared the spoils.
In the other qualifier, Sao Tome and Principe held Sierra Leone to a 2-2 draw at the Stade Adrar in Agadir in Morocco.The away side were the first to take the lead through Luis Leal in the 43rd minute minute but Mustapha Bundu restored parity for the home side just three minutes upon the second half’s resumption.Leal then bagged a brace to restore his side’s lead but a 78th minute strike from Abu Komeh denied the away side a chance of recording their first win in the group stage.