Rwanda’s head coach, Torsten Spittler, has shed light on his decision to exclude Standard Liege midfielder Hakim Sahabo and Gefle IF winger Rafael York from his 38-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers doubleheader against Benin in October.
Sahabo and York have not featured for the Amavubi since June, and Spittler cited their exclusion as being related to “bad behavior” in the dressing room. He expressed that both players’ actions were not aligned with the principles of the national team.
Spittler revealed that York misled the team about his fitness level during a previous match, which almost jeopardized the squad. “Last time, he (York) claimed to have an injury for personal reasons. I don’t understand it,” Spittler told the press. “He informed me that he was fine, but when I put him on the field against Benin, it was clear that something was wrong, and I had to substitute him immediately. That’s why I decided to sideline him.”
Regarding Sahabo, Spittler expressed concern over the 18-year-old’s attitude, calling him a “problem” for the team. Despite efforts to mentor Sahabo, including pairing him with team captain Djihad Bizimana for guidance, the young midfielder has not responded positively.
“Sahabo has been causing issues with the way he handles situations,” Spittler said. “I’ve spoken about him more than any other player, and the coaches also raised concerns. We tried to help him, but he continues to disregard advice.”
Spittler also mentioned hearing rumors about Sahabo having conflicts with his coach at Standard Liege, though he has yet to verify these claims. Despite the disciplinary challenges, Spittler acknowledged Sahabo’s potential: “He’s a talented player, but these issues must be addressed for him to make a significant impact on the national team.”
The German coach emphasized that dropping Sahabo and York from the squad is intended to encourage a change in their behavior. “Both players have tremendous talent, and I’m making this decision public in hopes that they will reflect and change. They have the ability to contribute greatly to the team’s success,” Spittler added.
Rwanda currently sits third in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, with two points after securing a 1-1 draw against Libya in Tripoli and a goalless draw against group leaders Nigeria at Amahoro Stadium. The upcoming matches against Benin will be crucial for the Amavubi as they continue their campaign to qualify for the tournament.
