As the countdown races to Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are unfazed by talks of Nigeria never having beaten Rwanda in any part of the country called Rwanda. Their focus, according to team captain William Ekong, is the three points at stake, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
“Actually, we read about that in some places but we are not bothered. I was part of the last game in Kigali which ended scoreless, but we know that we cannot afford a draw this time. Our objective is to pick the three points and bring some life back into our campaign.
“We are certainly not concerned about history books and what has happened before now. Qualification for the FIFA World Cup is our priority.”
The three-time African champions are yet to achieve victory over Rwanda in that country, going back to 20 years ago, when a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match ended 1-1 at the Amahoro Stadium. In 2011, a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo, in the outskirts of Kigali, ended scoreless. In September last year, another 0-0 was the outcome of a 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the Amahoro.
All 23 invited players were at the Eagles’ Radisson Blu nest on Tuesday night, meaning everyone would be involved in the second training on Wednesday, and in the official training session at the Amahoro Stadium on Thursday evening.
Nigeria’s goal-banger Victor Osimhen was among the early arrivals, while celebrating becoming the new leading scorer in the Turkish Superlig with 20 goals after a hat-trick on Saturday. The 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup top scorer now has 23 goals for Nigeria in 47 matches.
There are also reigning Africa Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar and new invitee Tolu Arokodare to make life difficult for the Amavubi rearguard.
Credit: NFF