The Super Eagles of Nigeria will attempt to make it back-to-back wins in the opening rounds of their AFCON 2025 Qualifiers when they take on The Wasps of Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday.
The three-time AFCON champions got off to a flyer in their Group D opener against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, with Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman scoring a brace in between a strike by African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen.
Ahead of the tie scheduled for the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali, Super Eagles interim gaffer Augustine Eguavoen spoke of the calibre and quality of players at his disposal, and Nigerians will be expecting another performance from the team that cruised past Benin.
The Amavubi’s are unbeaten in their last two matches under their German handler, Torsten Spittler, and although they are yet to record a win against their West African opponents, they will be buoyed by the almost 60,000 supporters cheering for their first win over the Super Eagles.
However, Eguavoen does not need to make many changes to his approach or style of play to get past his opponents, although there are indications Victor Osimhen will start ahead of Victor Boniface, with the rest of the players retaining their starting berths.
More will be expected from the Super Eagles’ right flank, where AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze and Fulham defender Ola Aina will be operating from, as eyes will be on Lookman, going by his performance on the left flank last time out.
Despite playing at home, Rwanda is expected to defend in numbers in their 18-yard box and try to hit Nigeria on the break, thus frustrating the Eagles.
This is where the mental resolve of the players and manager, Eguavoen, will come into play as things might not go according to plan in the early stages of the game.
MATCHDAY ‼️
🇷🇼 Rwanda vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
Today, 2:00PM WAT
🚨 LIVE ON AFROSPORT TV
👉🏾 https://t.co/8cAZWyB3qg 👈🏽
OR Scan the QR codeAFCON 2025 Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/89eoUOJ9RO
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) September 10, 2024
The players will need to show character and resolve to get past their opponents at the end of 90 minutes.
