As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda on Friday, the team has dismissed concerns about their winless history in the country.
Speaking ahead of the match at Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, team captain William Ekong emphasised that the players are focused on securing all three points, rather than dwelling on past encounters.
“We read about the record, but we are not bothered. I was part of the last game in Kigali, which ended goalless, but we know we cannot afford a draw this time. Our objective is to pick the three points and bring life back into our campaign,” said Ekong.
Despite being three-time African champions, Nigeria has never beaten Rwanda on Rwandan soil. Their previous encounters include:
-2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifier (1-1 draw) at Amahoro Stadium
-2012 AFCON Qualifier (0-0 draw) at Stade Regional de Nyamirambo
-2025 AFCON Qualifier (0-0 draw) in September 2024 at Amahoro Stadium
However, the Super Eagles remain confident as they look to turn things around under newly appointed head coach Éric Sékou Chelle. With Nigeria winless in their previous four World Cup qualifying matches, victory in Kigali is crucial to boosting their chances of securing the only automatic ticket from Group C to the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico.
All 23 invited players have arrived at the team’s camp in Kigali and participated in training sessions. Among them is Victor Osimhen, who recently became the leading scorer in the Turkish Super Lig with 20 goals after netting a hat-trick last weekend. The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot winner now boasts 23 goals in 47 appearances for Nigeria.
Other attacking threats include Ademola Lookman (reigning African Player of the Year), Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, and new invitee Tolu Arokodare, all expected to trouble Rwanda’s defence.
World football governing body FIFA has appointed Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed to officiate the match, which kicks off at 6 PM local time in Rwanda (5 PM Nigeria time). Jayed previously officiated Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Ghana in a friendly match last year, a game that ended an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars.
With history against them but motivation at its peak, the Super Eagles will look to rewrite the records and claim a much-needed win in Kigali.
Flamingos Set For Final Battle Against Algeria In U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will remain in camp as they gear up for the final round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in Morocco. They will face Algeria in a two-legged tie, with the first leg scheduled for Saturday, 19th April, at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo. The return leg will take place a week later in Algeria.
The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 World Cup, have been in top form, defeating South Africa’s Bantwana 3-1 in Pretoria before sealing their qualification to this stage with a 2-0 win in Ikenne, completing a 5-1 aggregate victory.
Algeria, on the other hand, recovered from a 1-2 loss to Botswana in the first leg by securing a 4-0 home victory, earning them a shot at World Cup qualification against Nigeria.
Other Final Round Fixtures
Kenya vs Cameroon
Benin Republic vs Cameroon
Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea
Nigeria will rely on their star performers, including Shakirat Moshood, to power them past Algeria and book a place in Morocco later this year.
Melissa Enoch
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