The stage is set for Nigeria’s Super Eagles to take on the Amavubi of Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier.
The match will take place at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, on Tuesday afternoon by 2 pm.
The Super Eagles head to the game after beating the Republic of Benin 3-0 in their last game on Saturday.
Rwanda, on the other hand, played a 1-1 draw with Libya in their last game.
Both teams are currently in Group D, alongside Libya and Benin.
Nigeria is on top of the Group with three points from one game. Rwanda is in second position with one point from one game.
Libya are third position with one point, from the same number of games, while Benin has no point.
Nigeria’s caretaker head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has already insisted that the Super Eagles are ready to win against Rwanda, adding that his team also has total respect for the host.
“Whatever formation Rwanda comes up with tomorrow [Tuesday], we are ready, the country is full of expectations. It doesn’t matter who will play, they expect us to win,” Eguavoen told a press conference on Monday.
“We are here already, we respect Rwanda, but are here to get a good result. They respect us, we do respect them too.
“We will play them with respect. You don’t look down on teams these days because football has improved, when you underrated teams, you might get shocked.”
On his part, Rwanda head coach, Torsten Spittler, has already admitted that his side’s clash with Nigeria won’t be easy.
Spittler also hoped that playing in front of their fans can help his team claim a famous victory over the Super Eagles.
“We know our next game against Nigeria won’t be easy, but we hope to make the best of our home advantage.
“Now every point counts, and the draw with Libya brings us more confidence,” Spittler said.
Tuesday’s clash will be the sixth meeting between Nigeria and Rwanda.
The Super Eagles have never lost a game against Rwanda, winning twice and drawing three times in the past.
Speaking on the upcoming clash between Nigeria and Rwanda, Saheed Afolabi, who works at Clear TV, said he expects Eguavoen’s side to shock the Rwandans in Kigali.
“The Super Eagles actually did very well against the Benin Republic with that 3-0 thrashing of at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
“It shows the Super Eagles were rejuvenated and it shows a different class and a different mentality from the players and kudos to the coaching crew led by Austin Eguavoen and Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede and Enugu Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu,” Afolabi said.
“It shows that the technical crew actually works together and they gave us a master-class technical input to the players’ strategy which the players impacted onto the pitch of play and they gave Nigerians an excellent result.
“That match also rejuvenated the fans’ cheering after the game. Fans were elated to see the Super Eagles put smiles on their faces because it’s been a while since we saw that kind of performance from the Super Eagles at home and the players gave the fans what they wanted.
“So against Rwanda, I see the Super Eagles are back to their best form and I expect them to also actually shock the Rwandans in Kigali. They have what it takes to do that and I’m expecting that they will beat Rwanda.”
Asked of his prediction for the game, Afolabi added: “Well, my prediction for the game is 2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles against Rwanda.
“The players in camp are all fighting for their shirts. You can see the depth of the Super Eagles squad. You see Boniface going out and you see Victor Osimhen coming in. You see Samuel Chukwueze going out and you see Moses Simon coming in.
“You see Fisayo Dele-Bashiru coming in for Iwobi in the midfield and Ndidi going out also and a very good replacement, Raphael Onyedika, coming in.
“Bruno Onyemaechi did very well at the left-wing back position against Benin. You see Olisa Ndah coming in for Calvin Bassey, that shows you the depth that we have in the Super Eagles squad and the players are ready to fight and give their best.
“So the depth is there and I expect the coaching crew to just get their job done and the players too should get the job done on the pitch of play and give us a fantastic winning result.
“At least we can use this AFCON performance to rejuvenate our very poor performance in the World Cup qualifiers.”
Also speaking with newsmen, the assistant coach of Yaba FC, Ahmed Omale, gave his prediction on the match between Nigeria and Rwanda.
Omale said: “If Rwanda can play 1-1 against Libya in their last game, that doesn’t mean Nigeria cannot defeat Rwanda in their home.
“Nigeria has a good team at the moment and I believe they can do better against Rwanda in Kigali.
“I don’t think this game will be difficult for Nigeria and going by their display against Benin, I think it would be an easy win for the Super Eagles.”
“I will say 2-1 in favour of Nigeria against Rwanda,” he further stated.
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