AFCON 2025 Q: Amavubi need qualification miracle in Nigeria
Monday, November 18, 2024
Rwanda's national team, Amavubi, during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualification match against Libya at Amahoro Stadium on November 14. Photo by Emmanuel Dushimimana

One remaining ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations (2025) remains up in the air with Group D rivals Benin, Rwanda and Libya all counting 90 minutes to know who will take it.

Rwanda has an arduous task at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo when they take on Monday, November 18.

Three-time African Champions Nigeria have already booked their ticket to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco with 11 points, despite still having a game to play against Rwanda who, on the other hand, need a win and pray that Libya defeat Benin in Tripoli, to sail through.

Amavubi put themselves in a huge predicament as things could have been much easier for them had they beaten Libya in Kigali. The result, however, didn’t go the way they anticipate, losing 1-0 in the process.

For Nigeria, there is nothing at stake and coach Augustine Eguavoen says they are pleased with their qualification.

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"I am happy we have the AFCON finals ticket in the bag ahead of the final game of the series against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday,” Eguavoen said.

As a result, the home side is likely to miss as many as four players in the game against Rwanda with Ola Aina, Stanley Nwabali and Ademola Lookman now confirmed as key absentee in Eguavoen’s squad. Dele-Bashiru is also a doubt after suffering a knock in Saturday’s training session.

Rwanda are poor away travelers, hence chance to win in Uyo looks unlikely. Their last away win in the AFCON qualifiers was on June 14, 2015 against Mozambique in which they won 1-0.

Monday’s final qualifying encounter promises to be a tough one for Rwanda unless Nigeria decides not to exert all their force considering that there is nothing at stake for them after qualification.

There are no injury situations in the Amavubi camp. Centre back Clement Niyigena will also be back from suspension after missing Libya match after accumulated yellow cards in the qualifiers.

Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Qualifiers form guide:

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Rwanda’s AFCON 2025 Qualifiers form guide:

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