Tuesday, September 10

Rwanda vs Nigeria (Amahoro Stadium)

Kickoff: 3pm

Rwanda welcome the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, September 10, in what will be the pair's second matchday of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

It will be their first match since January 6, 2022 when they lost 2-0 against Guinea in a friendly match.

This is going to be the sixth meeting between both teams. The Super Eagles have the upper hand with two wins and three draws, including two in the AFCON qualifiers played in 2012 when the visitors drew away and won in Lagos.

Prior to this game, Amavubi put up a spirited performance to salvage a point in faraway Tripoli as they held Libya to a 1-1 draw. Nigeria also easily dispatched neighbors Benin 3-0 as to move at the top of Group D.

Rwanda looks a rejuvenated side under German tactician Torsten Spittler. The team currently plays some good football and are gradually becoming a force to reckon with.

In the likes of skipper Djihad Bizimana, who has established himself as the engine of the team, centre back Ange Mutsinzi, wingers Jojea Kwizera as well as Gilbert Mugisha, and striker Innocent Nshuti, Rwanda have the needed arsenals who change the game at any time and in any situation.

Like Spittler stated in Monday's pre-match press conference, the game is a litmus test for his charges, and it will require him to bring the best out of them. He admitted Nigeria have a ferocious attack made up of world class players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface among others

Rwanda's main strength lies at the back where goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and central defensive pair of Ange Mutsinzi and Thierry Manzi have been phenomenal. Amavubi have conceded just twice in their last seven games in all competitions.

It will be interesting to see how Rwanda's resolute backline comes up against a rampaging Nigerian attack. On the other hand, Innocent Nshuti, who showed his predatory instincts with a goal against Libya, will be aiming to increase his tally.

In all, it will be a great game. Nigeria are ahead in terms of player quality but football defies logic and Rwanda could pull a fast one on them.

Rwanda form (all competitions): WDWLWD

Nigeria form (all competitions): LWLDLW