Aiming for a strong start with Nigeria, Eric Chelle‘s Super Eagles travel to Rwanda in World Cup 2026 qualifying, needing a positive result in Friday’s Group C encounter at the Amahoro Stadium.
The three-time African champions find themselves second-bottom entering the fifth round of matches, trailing the joint leaders by four points and can ill afford further slip-ups as they attempt to qualify for the global finals.
Match preview
Rwanda dare to dream after four games in World Cup qualifying, as the Amavubi sit joint top with South Africa and Benin on seven points in Group C heading into Friday’s match against the African giants.
Despite suffering a 1-0 loss to Benin last June, the Wasps responded with a narrow victory away from home by defeating Lesotho, placing them in a promising position ahead of the first of two home fixtures.
Having never participated in a World Cup finals, new boss Adel Amrouche hopes to secure a victory in his first match in charge of the East African nation as qualification reaches its halfway point.
Aiming to capitalise on a pair of games in Kigali, Rwanda hope for the best-case scenario over the next two fixtures, with Bafana Bafana facing Lesotho on five points and Gernot Rohr‘s ambitious Benin.
Success in both matches could put the Amavubi in a favourable position, so you could forgive the home support for thinking ahead before Nigeria’s visit.
Stating that the Super Eagles have underperformed is an understatement, as the African giants have started their campaign winless in four games, playing three draws and suffering a 2-1 defeat in Benin despite taking the lead through Raphael Onyedika.
Chelle’s appointment in January, seven months after that June 2024 setback, received mixed reactions in the West African nation, and the Abidjan-born Malian manager aims to secure results to win over the sceptics.
Achieving success in his Super Eagles debut is almost crucial for the three-time African champions, who sit on three points heading into Friday’s match in Kigali, if they wish to maintain realistic hopes of qualifying for the 2026 tournament after missing out in Qatar.
Nigeria have never missed consecutive finals since their 1994 debut in the United States, qualifying in 2010 after narrowly missing out four years earlier; this iteration, which features the continent’s best players over the past two years — Victor Osimhen (2023) and Ademola Lookman (2024) — strive to avoid the shame.
However, the Super Eagles, winless in their last three encounters with Rwanda and suffering a 2-1 defeat at home in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in November 2024, must secure their first win in Rwanda to bolster their World Cup chances.
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Team News
Yunusu Nshimiyimana and Fitina Omborenga are not expected to play against Nigeria on compassionate grounds following their father’s passing on Monday.
Rwanda, joint-second lowest scorers in Group C with three goals, have had different goalscorers, with Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha and Jojea Kwizera finding the net for the Wasps.
Having conceded only one goal in qualifying, Fiacre Ntwari could register his fourth clean sheet for the East African nation if they prevent the Super Eagles from scoring.
It will be intriguing to see if Chelle opts for the 4-3-1-2 formation used during his time as Mali boss at the previous Cup of Nations, or if he decides on a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with the continental giants.
After missing Nigeria’s draw with South Africa and loss to Benin in June 2024 due to injury, Osimhen, who has scored 26 goals for Galatasaray this term, seeks to find the net for the first time in World Cup qualifying in Kigali.
In-form Nantes winger, Moses Simon, could start in a front three alongside current African Footballer of the Year Lookman and Osimhen, or may be deployed as one of the wingers if Chelle opts for a 4-4-2 formation.
The lack of players in defence means the back four is almost predetermined, with Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi as full-backs flanking William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.
Rwanda possible starting lineup:
Ntwari; Niyigena, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Niyomugabo; Sahabo, Bizimana, Rubanguka; Rafael, Nshuti, Mugisha
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi; Simon, Osimhen, Lookman
We say: Rwanda 1-1 Nigeria
Despite Nigeria’s ambition to avoid the ignominy of consecutive World Cup absences, this iteration has thus far flattered to deceive despite the presence of Osimhen and Lookman.
Facing a defensively solid home side, the Super Eagles, who have scored just one goal in each of their four games, may have to settle for a point in Kigali.
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