Rwanda vs Nigeria preview: Super Eagles eye first win in Kigali

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

On Friday, Nigeria’s senior men’s national team faces Rwanda in one of two important games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Stade Amahoro, Kigali, is the venue of the Group C clash of second and fifth-placed teams.

The Amavubis amassed seven points from their first four games of the campaign, hoping to bank on their 2-1 win over the Super Eagles in both side’s last meeting in Uyo last year.

The Super Eagles, on the other hand, had a paltry three points from a possible 12 in an abysmal start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

A 2-2 draw between Zimbabwe and Benin Republic opened up the group on Friday.

A win for either side will boost their resolve to make it to the next global football Mundial.

Rwanda have won three of their last five games with two losses while Nigeria can boast of two wins with two draws and a loss in the same game played.

Historically, the three-time African champion has won two of the last six head-to-head games with three draws and a loss.

That form includes their winless run in Kigali which has lasted for decades.

The 45,000-capacity Stade Amahoro has been a fortress for the Amavubis, a form Eric Chelle’s side needs to end to stand any chance of qualifying for the next World Cup.

With an array of stars from Europe, including the current Africa player of the year, Ademola Lookman, and his predecessor, Victor Osimhen, the West Africa side is blessed with talents to prosecute and get the all-important win.

They have also qualified for six out of the last eight World Cups with Rwanda searching for their maiden appearance at the global stage.

It promises to be an exciting encounter in Kigali on Friday.