The Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria host Rwanda on Monday on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, of their closing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying sport, looking for to finish their marketing campaign on a excessive be aware and keep their unbeaten report in Group D.
Three-time African champions Nigeria have already secured the highest spot within the group with 11 factors from 5 matches, making certain their participation within the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Nonetheless, Augustine Eguavoen’s males goal to keep away from a shock end result towards Rwanda, who’ve all the things to play for of their bid to grab the second qualifying spot.
Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute aim rescued a degree for Nigeria towards Benin Republic in Abidjan final Thursday, however the 1-1 draw couldn’t conceal the group’s underwhelming show.
The match uncovered weaknesses within the Tremendous Eagles’ defence, particularly on the wings and from dead-ball conditions.
Nonetheless, with the house crowd roaring behind them on Monday, Eguavoen’s facet will search to enhance towards Rwanda on the Nest of Champions.
Not like within the World Cup qualifiers the place they’re struggling, the Tremendous Eagles have been implausible within the AFCON qualifiers, notching consecutive house victories towards Benin (3-0) and Libya (1-0) in Uyo with out conceding, showcasing their power on house turf.
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They goal to make it three wins in a row towards Rwanda.
Rwanda, two factors shy of second-placed Benin and one away from Libya in fourth, wants a win to maintain their qualification hopes alive.
Nonetheless, they face a frightening process, having not gained an away qualifying match since June 2015, after they defeated Mozambique 1-0.
Nigeria boasts a powerful head-to-head report towards Rwanda, with two wins and 4 attracts in six conferences, together with a goalless draw earlier within the AFCON 2025 qualifying marketing campaign.
The Tremendous Eagles have by no means misplaced to Rwanda.
Workforce information
For Monday’s conflict, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina have returned to their golf equipment, Atalanta and Nottingham Forest, respectively.
Samuel Chukwueze or Simon Moses and Vibrant Osayi-Samuel are more likely to change the duo within the beginning lineup.
Additionally, Maduka Okoye will almost certainly begin in aim following Stanley Nwabali’s absence on account of household bereavement.
Rwanda’s Harmless Nshuti seeks his third aim within the qualifying video games, whereas Djihad Bizimana and Gilbert Mugisha’s playmaking might be essential in breaking down Nigeria’s defence.
Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari will hope to repeat his spectacular efficiency from the reverse fixture.
With Nigeria already assured to complete first, the stakes are excessive for Rwanda, who should win and hope Libya defeats Benin to safe the second ticket within the group.
For a lot of, the Tremendous Eagles’ quest for a fourth AFCON title subsequent 12 months in Morocco has begun in earnest with Monday’s match towards Rwanda serving as a tune-up forward of the principle occasion.
What they stated
Torsten Spittler, Head Coach of the Amavubi of Rwanda, is firmly targeted on the mission to defeat the Tremendous Eagles in Monday’s closing Group D match.
“It’s clear that if we should go to AFCON 2025, we’ll need to win right here (towards the Tremendous Eagles),” Spittler declared.
“So, that’s our mission right here. I’m anticipating an attention-grabbing match towards Nigeria, and we’ll need to struggle till the final minute,” the coach added.
Djihad Bizimana, captain of Rwanda’s Amavubi, assures they’ll give the Tremendous Eagles a run for his or her cash.
“Nigeria have massive gamers, all of them enjoying in Europe, however that’s not sufficient cause for us to not win,” he stated. “We need to play within the AFCON subsequent 12 months. So, we should struggle, and we should win.”
Tremendous Eagles Head Coach, Augustine ‘Cerezo’ Eguavoen, has expressed confidence in his group’s readiness to win Monday’s “lifeless rubber” sport towards Rwanda as he hopes to log out from the AFCON Qualifiers extremely rated.
“Our boys are 100 per cent professionals, they usually know what it takes to win video games. They gained’t blink for a minute. The identical strategy we’d use towards Brazil or Argentina is identical we’ll use towards Rwanda,” Eguavoen said forward of Monday’s match.
Possible lineups
Nigeria doable beginning lineup:
Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Simon; Osimhen
Rwanda doable beginning lineup:
Ntwari; Ombolenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi; Imanishimwe; Bizimana, Mugisha, Gueulette; Kwizera, Nshuti, Mugisha
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