The Super Eagles are determined to finish their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign on a high, despite already securing their spot in next year’s tournament in Morocco.
Despite the qualification being confirmed earlier following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda, Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen made it clear that his team is not taking their final qualifier against Rwanda lightly.
“We want to win every game,” Eguavoen said confidently at the pre-match press conference on Sunday. “When the World Cup qualifiers come, I don’t know if I will still be in charge, but our aim is to continue performing well.”
The Super Eagles’ spot in the 2025 AFCON was confirmed after their penultimate match against Benin Republic, which was made possible by Libya’s win over Rwanda. However, Rwanda still needs a victory to secure their own qualification for the tournament. The Super Eagles, having already topped Group D, have nothing to lose but are motivated by pride and momentum heading into future competitions, particularly the 2026 World Cup qualifiers that start in March 2025.
The match, which will be played on Monday, will be Nigeria’s final qualifier for the tournament, and Eguavoen is determined to keep the winning spirit alive. “It’s all about momentum,” he said. “We need to continue our good form as we prepare for bigger challenges ahead.”
However, the Super Eagles will be without three key players for the crucial clash. CAF Player of the Year nominee, Ademola Lookman, left the team camp on Saturday due to a minor injury. Defender Ola Aina also returned to England after his club, Nottingham Forest, requested his presence. In addition, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will not feature due to the recent passing of his father.
Despite these absences, Eguavoen remained confident in his team’s ability to perform. “Their absence will not disrupt our momentum. The team is ready to give their best,” he stated.
Eguavoen further explained Lookman’s situation, saying, “He’s slightly hurt and can’t play… he said that he is at 70 per cent.” The coach permitted Lookman to return to Atalanta, where he plays for his club. “It’s important to build good relationships with club sides,” Eguavoen said.
The coach also explained Aina’s return to his club, stating, “Nuno (Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest coach) called me, and he wanted Ola to return since we had already qualified. I sanctioned it. It’s part of the relationships we are building with club sides.”
With the absence of Lookman and Aina, the Super Eagles will have to rely on their remaining players to deliver. The match will also serve as a chance to solidify the team’s consistency ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The match against Rwanda is also crucial in preparation for future encounters, as both teams will be in the same qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles’ squad for the game includes a mix of experienced and young players, with the return of former goalkeeper Maduka Okoye expected to strengthen the defense. Bright Osayi-Samuel is likely to start at right wing-back in the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back. The center-back pairing will likely be Captain William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.
In the midfield, the team will count on the services of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika to control the game.
Up front, much is expected from Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s top striker, who has been a key player throughout the qualifiers. Osimhen’s goal in Abidjan earned Nigeria the point that secured their spot at the top of Group D. He will be eager to score against Rwanda and move closer to overtaking former captain Segun Odegbami on Nigeria’s all-time goal list. Both players are currently tied with 23 goals.
The absence of Lookman means that Moses Simon will likely play a more pivotal role in the attack, and Eguavoen will be looking for contributions from other forwards such as Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface.