Rwanda vs. Nigeria: Eguavoen is certain the Eagles are unflappable
Augustine Eguavoen began his fourth season with the Super Eagles on a high note on Saturday, as the three-time African kings destroyed the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 3-0 in Uyo.
The 58-year-old plans to keep winning and grinning when Nigeria plays Rwanda this afternoon at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.
Since Nigerian fans want their team to win frequently, we play with the intention of winning every time. We also play every team with respect and aren't scared by any because we have a fantastic squad with great players.
"We want to win the game on Tuesday by getting three points."
Just prior to the Eagles' formal practice, team captain William Ekong reiterated the plan during the pre-game press conference at Amahoro Stadium: "We are here for a purpose. With Coach Eguavoen, who has coached the team before, we all feel like a family. We will play for each other and go for the three points that will establish us at the top of the table.”
Table-toppers Nigeria play the Amavubi (Wasps) at the renovated 45,000-capacity arena in the heart of Kigali in a Matchday 2 meeting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. Nigerian time. The Wasps are still riding high after their 3-0 victory against the Cheetahs.
This match is the first of four matches between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the upcoming year. The teams will play each other home and away in the 2025 FIFA World Cup, with the Wasps hosting Nigeria on opening day in March. The other matchup takes place in November in Nigeria during the last round of this qualifying competition.
The nation of 13 million people has been awakened to the possibility that the Amavubi can torpedo Nigeria, Libya and Benin Republic, and earn their first ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004. He flaunts an impressive record though, having led the team to win three of their last eight matches, drawing four and losing one.
Spittler plans to match up Nigeria's twin terrors, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who each created the three goals that deflated the Cheetahs in Uyo, against defenders Claude Niyomugabo, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo, and Christian Ishimwe.
Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha, and Jean Bosco Rubineka are capable of being a handful in the midfield on their day, and Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi, and Innocent Nshuti, who scored the team's equaliser against Libya in Tripoli last week, are Spittler's implicit choices at the front.
Stanley Nwabali, the custodian, should start alongside captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey at the centre of defence, with Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi playing wingback. Eguavoen confirmed on Monday that all 23 players in the Nigerian team's accommodation at the Radisson Blu are healthy and prepared.
Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Samuel Chukwueze may still start at the front, while Wilfred Ndidi may serve as the midfield's rock alongside Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.