Rwanda will look to build on their impressive World Cup qualifying campaign when they take on Nigeria at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday evening.
Current Form
The hosts sit atop Group C, having won two, drawn one, and lost one in their qualifying run so far. Their latest outing saw them secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Lesotho.
Amavubi share the same points tally as South Africa and Benin but lead the group due to a superior goal difference.
Meanwhile, Nigeria have endured a frustrating start to the qualifiers, collecting just three points from four matches. Without a single win, the Super Eagles currently sit fifth in the standings, just one point above bottom-placed Zimbabwe.
What They Said
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is eager to make a fresh start under newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle.
“It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment, and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal,” Osimhen said.
“There’s a new manager now, and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to correct our previous mistakes and put ourselves in a better position to qualify.”
Rwanda have also made a coaching change, appointing Algerian tactician Adel Amrouche. In his introduction, Amrouche expressed confidence but emphasized the need for collective support from the Rwanda Football Federation and the public.
“I work a lot, I’m not a coach who talks too much. Everyone has a role to play for the team’s success, including journalists, because you are part of football development,” he stated.
“Me alone, I can’t do anything. Everyone must get involved.”
Players to Watch
- Yves Habimana (Rwanda) – The striker has been in fine form in the Rwandan top flight, registering eight goals and six assists. Receiving his first national team call-up, he will be eager to make an impact and cement his place in the squad.
- Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria) – The Genk forward is thrilled to be part of the Super Eagles setup after earning his first-ever call-up. He sees this as a significant milestone in his career and will be looking to impress and secure a regular spot in the squad.
Head-to-Head
While Nigeria boast a richer football history, including three AFCON titles and six World Cup appearances, their encounters with Rwanda have often been tightly contested.
In seven previous meetings, Nigeria have won twice, drawn four times, and lost once. Interestingly, all three matches played in Rwanda have ended in draws, with Nigeria’s only goal on Rwandan soil coming from Obafemi Martins in a 2005 World Cup qualifier.
As both teams seek crucial points, Friday’s clash promises to be a decisive moment in their qualification campaigns.
