The Super Eagles of Nigeria face a daunting task against the Amavubi of Rwanda as they look to get their World Cup qualification back on track after a poor start.
Nigeria have just three points from four matches after three consecutive drawn matches against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa and a loss to Benin Republic.
However, Rwanda are top of Group C with seven points from their opening four matches and will look to continue their impressive start to the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles, with new manager Eric Chelle, are condemned to take maximum points when the two teams square up at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday afternoon.
This post examines Rwandan three players the Super Eagles should take note of ahead of the crucial match.
1. Fiacre Ntwari
Ntwari is the goalkeeper of the side and has been very impressive for the Amavubi in the qualification series. The 25-year-old shots-stopper has three clean sheets from four matches in the qualifiers which shows how important he is to Adel Amrouche’s team. Fiarce Ntwari is the second-choice goalkeeper for South Africa Premier Soccer League side Kazier Chiefs.
He has quite a towering staure, aerial command and sharp relexes which makes it difficult t score against him. He had an exceptional performance against the Super Eagles in Sepetember 2024 as he made countless saves to help Rwanda secure a point against Nigeria during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Victor Osimhen and reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman will have to at their best on Friday to get goals past Ntwari.
2. Nshuti Innocent
The pacy striker plays for FC Sabali in the Azerbiajan League. He is arguably Rwanda’s most dangerous man. He is fast, and potent in front of goal. Innocent is very deadly in the box and he will be saddled with the responsibilty of getting a goal or more past Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nshuti Innocent scored three goals in six matches for the Amavubi during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Also, he currently has a goal to his name in the World Cup qualifiers. Innocent scored the opening goal in Rwanda’s 2-0 win over South Africa in November, 2023.
3. Djihad Bizimana
Bizimana is the captain of the Amavubi. He is a warrior on the pitch as he makes tireless runs, recoveries, interceptions, tackles among other defesive duties for the Amavubi. He is a defensive midfielder and one of the prime assests in Adel Amrouche squad. The 28-year-old midfielder has played over 800 minutes in the African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers between November 2023 and 2024. Bizimana will be in the heart of midfield tracking he runs of the likes of Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and other Super Eagles attackers on Friday.
Rwanda go into the fixture as favorites given their current run in the qualifiers and their last performance against the Super Eagles.
Neverthless, the Super Eagles have more than enough to secure maximum points over the Amavubi as they look to get their first win of the series and begin the quest to qualify for the World Cup.
