Nigeria’s hope of a return to the FIFA World Cup campaign is on the line with Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles taking on Rwanda on a crucial Group C matchday at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday, MySportDab Reports.
Nigeria, who had a frustrating start to their qualifying campaign, can ill-afford to leave with anything less than a victory to keep their hopes alive of making it to the 2026 tournament.
Match Preview
With only three points from four matches, the Super Eagles are in an unusual position, sitting second-bottom in Group C. Their winless start — three draws and a 2-1 defeat to Benin — has left them four points behind joint-leaders South Africa and Benin, so they can hardly not afford to lose another game.
While Rwanda have been impressive in the qualifiers, with seven points and topping the group along with South Africa and Benin. The Amavubi kept the dream alive by after bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat to Benin last June with an away win against Lesotho, putting them in contention for their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Rwanda’s new head coach, Adel Amrouche, will want to hit the ground running in his first assignment in charge. With Nigeria and Benin both at home to come, the East African side are well aware that good displays against the two sides would go a long way towards enhancing their chances of qualification.
For Nigeria, Chelle’s appointment back in January was met with mixed reactions and results are already expected of the Malian tactician. The three-time continental champions have never failed to qualify for back-to-back World Cup tournaments since they made their debut in 1994, and missing out in 2026 would be a heavyweight embarrassment.
Adding to Nigeria’s concerns is the fact they have failed to beat Rwanda in their last three encounters, including a 2-1 home defeat in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last November. To keep the World Cup dream alive, the Super Eagles need an ever-first away win in Kigali.
Team News
Rwanda will miss defenders Yunusu Nshimiyimana and Fitina Omborenga, unavailable for personal reasons. Despite only managing three goals the Wasps are joint-second lowest scorers in the group but have spread their goalscoring burden between Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, and Jojea Kwizera. Have only conceded once in qualifying, goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari will be aiming to add a fourth shutout.
Victor Osimhen is back in the writing for Nigeria after missing the June fixtures through a state of passive agony. The Galatasaray forward, who has scored 26 goals for his club during the current season, will be keen to open this qualifying campaign’s account. A likely attacking trio of Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman and Osimhen will take the field.
At the back, Nigeria likely will have Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi as full-backs while Willam Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey are at centre backs. Midfielders: Ndidi, Onyedika, Onyekuru, Iwobi.
Predicted Lineups
Rwanda Possible XI: Ntwari; Niyigena, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Niyomugabo; Sahabo, Bizimana, Rubanguka; Rafael, Nshuti, Mugisha
Nigeria Predicted Line-up: Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi; Simon, Osimhen, Lookman
