2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles observe second training session with full house ahead of Rwanda clash

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team’s second training session of the week took place on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.

All 23 players, including star names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, William Troost Ekong, and Wilfred Ndidi, participated in the grueling session.

Alhassan Yusuf, who arrived in the early hours of the day, took part in the training sessions, showcasing the commitment and dedication that permeates the Super Eagles squad.

Eric Chelle and his coaching staff meticulously guided the players, ensuring they grasped the intricacies of his philosophy and tactics.

Every pass, every tackle, every shot was imbued with a sense of purpose, reflecting the gravity of the task at hand.

The players, aware of the stakes, are determined to leave no stone unturned in their quest for victory.

All 23 players are fit and injury-free.

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.

On Friday, Franco-Malian tactician Éric Sékou Chelle will lead out the Super Eagles for the first time, as the FIFA World Cup qualifying series resumes with Nigeria, yet to win in their previous four matches, having to start winning to brighten their chances of picking the only automatic ticket from Group C to the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.

A win against Rwanda would be a monumental step towards qualification, and the Super Eagles are determined to seize this opportunity.

The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Friday, March 21st at 5 PM in Kigali, and the Super Eagles are ready to face the challenge head-on.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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