Femi Solaja
Table-toppers Nigeria will face off against Rwanda in a Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The game will take place at the refurbished 45,000-capacity facility in the heart of Kigali, starting at 2pm Nigeria time.
Interim Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, stated that Nigeria’s objective in the Rwandan capital is to secure all three points. He is eager to continue the winning streak after the team’s impressive 3-0 victory over Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Uyo on Saturday.
Eguavoen expressed confidence in the team’s ability and emphasized the importance of always striving to win. He highlighted that the Nigerian squad is equipped with talented players and will approach every match with respect for the opponent but without intimidation. The team’s main goal for Tuesday’s game is to secure the three points.
The Nigerian camp in Kigali confirmed that all 23 players are fit and ready to play. Expected to start are goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, the defensive trio of captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey, with Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi as wingbacks. Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the midfield, possibly accompanied by Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze could lead the attack.
Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, echoed Eguavoen’s mission statement during a pre-match press conference. He emphasized the team’s unity under Eguavoen’s leadership and affirmed their determination to play for each other and secure the three points that would place them at the top of the table.
The Rwandan team, known as Amavubi, is not likely to give up easily. Under the guidance of their German Coach, Torsten Spittler, they have shown a strong belief in their ability to challenge teams like Nigeria, Libya, and Benin Republic. Spittler aims to utilize defenders Claude Niyomugabo, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo, and Christian Ishimwe to counter Nigeria’s attacking duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. In midfield, Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha, and Jean Bosco Rubineka pose a threat, while Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi, and Innocent Nshuti lead the attack.
Today’s match is the first of four encounters between Nigeria and Rwanda in the next 12 months. They will face each other again in November in Nigeria for the final round of the qualifying race of the Africa Cup of Nations. The two teams will also meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a home-and-away format, starting with Rwanda hosting Nigeria in March next year.
RESULTS
(AFCON)
Magascar 1-1 Comoros
EGuinea 2-2 Togo
Niger 1-1 Ghana
Uganda 2-0 Congo
Burundi 0-1 Senegal
TODAY
Rwanda v Nigeria
Gabon v. CAR
Botswana v Egypt
CVerde v. Mauritania
Benin vLibya
Liberia vAlgeria
Chad vCIV
Zambia v SLeone
Guinea vTanzania
Eswatini v. Mali
Mozbique v. GBissau
Namibia v. Kenya
Zimbabwe v. Cameroon
SSudan v. SAfrica
BFaso v. Malawi