The Super Eagles are back in action as the push for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup intensifies, with two matches in this month’s qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria, however, will first have to navigate Rwanda’s Amavubi, a side that most recently recorded a spirited 2-1 win in Uyo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers last November.
Both Nigeria and Rwanda have suffered one defeat each in their opening four games in Group C. The Super Eagles sit fifth in the group with just three points, four adrift of the Amavubi, who are the group leaders.
The matchday five encounter between the two nations promises to be an intriguing one and a must-win for either side if they are to keep their hopes of securing the sole Group C ticket alive.
Afrosport provides you with all the key details of the crunch tie between the Super Eagles and the Amavubi as well as information on where and how to watch the game live.
Rwanda v Nigeria
| World Cup Qualifiers
Mar. 21 | 5:00 PM WAT
Live on Afrosport TV pic.twitter.com/rK2NkZgtvQ
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) March 12, 2025
Where and when is the match?
The Group C matchday five encounter between Rwanda and Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers is scheduled for Friday, 21 March at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Historical Perspective – What do the stats say?
The Super Eagles and The Amavubi of Rwanda are really not strangers to each other, having faced off in six previous meetings.
Of the six encounters, Nigeria, who suffered their first defeat against Rwanda in Uyo in November 2024, have recorded two wins and three draws, while the Amavubi have been on the end of two defeats and recorded just one win.
The most common result in this fixture is a goalless draw and 2-0 win for Nigeria, which has both happened twice previously.
The last time they were both drawn in the same group for the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria failed to qualify for the Mundial, but secured a 2-0 home win against Rwanda before a 1-1 draw away from home.
Players to Watch Out For
Nigeria
Victor Osimhen: Victor Osimhen has not played a single game in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers so far due to injuries, but the Galatasaray man is expected to lead the line for the Super Eagles in Kigali on Friday.
Osimhen has 34 goal contributions in 39 appearances for Nigeria and will be looking to improve his tally as the Super Eagles begin life under Chelle, having scored 26 goals in 30 games this season for Turkish club Galatasaray.
Ademola Lookman: Ademola Lookman was controversially denied a goal the last time Nigeria played Rwanda in Kigali, but the Atalanta forward, who already has 18 goals for the Italian club this season, will be hoping to find the back of the net.
The reigning African Player of the Year has played three times in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but has yet to score a goal, and there is no better time than to help Nigeria beat Rwanda and get the team back on track for a place at the Mundial.
Tolu Arokodare: The Genk forward is one of Nigeria’s hottest commodities in Europe presently, which has earned him a call-up to the national team set-up.
If given the chance to make his debut, Arokodare can pose problems for the Amavubi’s defence, having scored 19 goals in 35 matches for his club.
Rwanda
Innocent Nshuti: The 27-year-old forward, who plays in Azerbaijan with Sabail FK, is Rwanda’s leading marksman with four goals in 16 appearances since he made his debut in 2021.
Nshuti has scored one goal in four matches for Amavubi in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a brilliant strike in their 2-0 win against South Africa in matchday two.
Fiacre Ntwari: The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper played a vital role in helping Rwanda earn a point the last time they played against Nigeria.
The 25-year-old made nine saves to help the Amavubi to a goalless draw against the Super Eagles last September in Kigali and was in goal in their 2-1 win in Uyo but was unfortunately forced off due to an injury with Nigeria in a 1-0 lead.
How to watch the Nigeria vs Rwanda game
You can watch the 2026 World Cup qualifiers matchday five encounter between Rwanda and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali LIVE on Afrosport TV, as well as the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) member stations, like NTA, Silverbird, Wazobia Max, Afia TV, and Superscreen TV.
Anyone in Nigeria can also watch the match LIVE on their internet-enabled devices on the GO via Afrosport mobile platforms. You can stream for FREE on Afrosport TV Facebook page and via the VIDIVU online portal.
***Note that the streaming options are available for viewers in Nigeria only.***
