Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Monday had a feel of the Amahoro Stadium turf Kigali, where they will do battle against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Tuesday’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Super Eagles arrived in Kigali Sunday evening, beaming with confidence following their 3-0 thrashing of Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Uyo. A win against Rwanda will see them cement their hold on the group D pairings.
Speaking ahead of the game coach Austin Eguaveon noted that there was a need to sustain the momentum, and victory would be the only way to assure Nigerian fans the team has moved on from their poor runs in the World Cup qualifiers where they are lagging behind.
“We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent,” Eguaveon said
“Everyone in camp is eager for us to pick up the three points in Rwanda and stay firmly on top of the qualifying table. We are here for business, and I am happy that everyone is on the same page.
“We play to win all the time, because Nigerians expect their team to win all the time. And because we have a team with great personnel, we play every team with respect, but we don’t get intimidated by any.
“Our objective for Tuesday’s game is the three points.”
Team captain William Ekong, speaking at the pre-match post conference at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday, just before the Eagles’ official training, echoed the tactician: “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.”
Tuesday’s encounter is the first of four battles between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the next 12 months, with the two teams to clash in November in Nigeria in the final round of this qualifying race, and then do a home-and-away in the 2025 FIFA World Cup race with the Wasps also hosting Nigeria first in March next year.
Eguavoen confirmed on Monday that all 23 players in the Nigeria team abode at the Radisson Blu are fit and ready, meaning that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali should be expected to start, alongside captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey at the heart of defence, while Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi will be wingbacks.
Wilfred Ndidi will possibly anchor the midfield that will have Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze could still start at the fore.
