After winning their opening round match last weekend, Nigeria will play Rwanda in the second round of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
In their debut game of the qualification series, the Super Eagles trounced Benin handily, while the Wasps managed to salvage a draw with Libya.
Rwanda has only ever participated in one AFCON, which was in Tunisia in 2004. Despite one win, one draw, and one loss, they were unable to advance past the group stage.
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The Wasps began their journey to qualify for the 2025 edition with a 1-1 draw against Libya in Tripoli last Wednesday – Sobi Al Dawi gave the hosts the lead in the 16th minute, but Innocent Nshuti equalised for Torsten Spittler’s side early in the second half.
The Wasps will take on Nigeria hoping to keep up their good play under Spittler.
Since the German manager took over the side in November, they have only lost once and have won three and drawn three of their previous seven games.
His next task, though, will be to assist Rwanda in winning its first game against its opponents on Tuesday, since they have lost all five of their prior encounters.
Last Saturday, Augustine Eguavoen took charge of the Super Eagles in his interim role, winning 3-0 against Benin at Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Ademola Lookman, who had recently been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, gave Nigeria the lead with a masterful solo goal.
Victor Osimhen, the new signing for Galatasaray, extended the lead in the 78th minute with a one-time finish off a cross, and Lookman scored his second goal of the match with a header in the 83rd to complete the triumph.
The Super Eagles’ three-match losing streak was snapped with the victory, which also moved them to the top of Group D ahead of Tuesday’s encounter against Rwanda.
This will be the teams’ sixth meeting overall, however the Super Eagles are ahead with two victories and three draws, including two in the 2012 AFCON qualifiers where the visitors won at home and drew away.
Here is how both teams line up
Rwanda Starting XI
Fiacre, Fitina, Claude, Ange, Thierry, Bonheur, Jojea, Djihad, Innocent, Kevin, Gilbert
Nigeria Starting XI
Nwabali, Ekong, Aina, Ajayi, Onyemaechi, Bassey, Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru, Lookman, Chukwueze, Boniface
