The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host Rwanda in their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday. Having already secured their place at next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco, Nigeria aims to finish the qualifiers with a positive result. Despite topping Group D, the Super Eagles have faced mixed performances throughout the campaign and will be looking to end on a high note, with a victory against a determined Rwanda side.
The Nigerian team, under coach Augustine Eguavoen, has had its fair share of challenges in the group stages. A late equalizer by Victor Osimhen in the 81st minute salvaged a 1-1 draw against Benin, but the Super Eagles’ overall performance was far from convincing. They struggled defensively, particularly on set-pieces, and were fortunate not to concede more against the Cheetahs. Fans are eager for a better display as the team heads into the final match, hoping for a performance that reflects their qualification for the tournament.
Rwanda’s Road to Uyo: A Struggle for Consistency
Rwanda enters the final round of qualifiers with much still to play for, though their chances of qualification hang by a thread. Sitting two points behind second-placed Benin and one point ahead of fourth-placed Libya, the Wasps need a victory in Uyo to keep their hopes alive. However, their recent form has been underwhelming. In their last outing, Rwanda suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Libya, failing to capitalize on Nigeria’s draw with Benin.
The Wasps have been on a nine-year winless streak in away AFCON qualifiers, with their last road victory dating back to June 2015 against Mozambique. Since then, they have endured seven draws and six defeats, including a six-match draw streak that only ended with a 3-0 loss to Benin last month. A victory over Nigeria would not only snap their long wait for an away win but also secure their first AFCON appearance since 2004. Given their historical struggles and the challenge of playing against a strong Super Eagles side, a victory for Rwanda would be a major upset.
Key Players to Watch: Osimhen’s Goal Scoring and Rwanda’s Playmakers
Victor Osimhen has been one of Nigeria’s standout players in this campaign, and the Napoli forward will be looking to extend his impressive goal tally. His late goal against Benin brought his total to 23 goals in all competitions for Nigeria, making him level with the legendary Segun Odegbami as the joint-second leading goalscorer for the Super Eagles. Osimhen’s form has been crucial for Nigeria, and fans will be hoping for another goal in Uyo to round off a stellar qualifying campaign.
Rwanda’s hopes for an upset in Uyo will rest heavily on the shoulders of key playmakers such as Djihad Bizimana and Gilbert Mugisha. Both players have been instrumental in the team’s attacking setup, averaging over two key passes per game. Bizimana, in particular, has the ability to break down Nigeria’s defense with his precise distribution, while Mugisha’s work rate and creativity will be key in creating opportunities for the Wasps. Additionally, Innocent Nshuti, who has scored two of Rwanda’s three goals in qualifying, will be aiming to add a third to keep his team’s qualification hopes alive.
Super Eagles Look to Extend Their Home Record
Despite already booking their spot in AFCON 2025, Nigeria will want to maintain momentum with a third consecutive home win. The Super Eagles have been solid at home during this qualifying campaign, securing victories over Benin (3-0) and Libya (1-0) in Uyo without conceding. A victory against Rwanda would complete a perfect home record, and coach Eguavoen will be eager to show that his team can perform with consistency and strength as they prepare for the tournament in Morocco next year.
For Rwanda, the task ahead is daunting. With their poor away form and Nigeria’s solid home record, the Wasps face a tough challenge in Uyo. However, their coach, Torsten Spittler, will be hoping that his side can produce an upset and secure a historic win to finish the qualification campaign on a high. The absence of some key players for Nigeria, including Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina, may provide Rwanda with some hope, but the Super Eagles, with their home advantage and the attacking prowess of Osimhen, are heavily favored to secure a victory.
Nigeria vs Rwanda: Final Qualifier Preview
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will look to end their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a perfect record when they host Rwanda in Uyo. While the Super Eagles have already qualified for next year’s tournament, they will aim for a strong performance and another home victory. Rwanda, facing a long road to qualification, must secure a win in Uyo to keep their slim hopes alive. With Nigeria’s attacking strength and Rwanda’s struggles on the road, the Super Eagles are expected to come out on top, extending their home win streak and ensuring a positive end to their qualifying campaign.
