2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Eguavoen dismisses Rwanda loss, vows to improve Nigeria

By Wale Mustapha

In the wake of Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat to Rwanda, Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has reassured Nigerians that the loss will not derail the Super Eagles’ ambitions in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite the disappointing result, Eguavoen remains optimistic, stressing that the team will learn from the setback and come back stronger.

The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C with just three points from four matches, having recorded three draws and one defeat.

However, Eguavoen emphasized that the team is focused on improving and adjusting their approach for future encounters, including their upcoming clash with Rwanda in March 2025.

“We’ve taken a hard lesson from this defeat. We will assess our performance, refine our strategies, and be better prepared for the next match,” Eguavoen told media.

“This loss will not affect our trajectory in the World Cup qualifiers. We are committed to pushing forward and delivering the results Nigerians expect.”

Although Eguavoen’s status as head coach beyond 2025 remains uncertain, he assured that the team would adopt a fresh strategy for their upcoming qualifier against Rwanda, with a focus on achieving a positive result.

As the Super Eagles prepare for the crucial World Cup qualifiers, Eguavoen’s message is clear: the team will regroup, learn from past mistakes, and continue their pursuit of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.