Nigeria interim coach Augustine Eguavoen aims to conclude the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign unblemished as he prepares for the visit of Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Monday, November 18.
The Super Eagles had already clinched their place at the African showpiece in Morocco ahead of the 1-1 draw with Benin in Abidjan on November 14, which maintained them four points clear of the Cheetahs at the top of Group D.
Since taking over as head coach of the national team ahead of the 2025 Afcon qualifications, Eguavoen has performed admirably, winning two games and drawing two in his fourth term.
The 2023 Afcon finalists were also handed a 3-0 walkover against LIbya last month following the traumatic ordeal they suffered in the lead-up to the game that was subsequently cancelled.
Mohamed Tijani had started the score in the 16th minute, but Eguavoen’s team wasn’t playing at their best against Benin, and Victor Osimhen had to equalise in the 81st minute to maintain their winning streak.
Rwanda held the West African heavyweights to a goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture on September 10, but they will need more than that to qualify for the tournament for only the second time in their history.
The Wasps trail Benin by two points in third position and require a big favour from the Mediterranean Knights to leapfrog Gernot Rohr’s side to the runners-up spot in the group.
To throw a wrench in the works, Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali on November 14 to record their first group win.
“Coming into this game we haven’t lost a game. So we have to maintain that standard and try to win the game, worst case scenario draw.
“We want to qualify without losing a game and we knew we’re capable of [that], we have all the qualities whatever it takes to beat anybody any time.
“Then it was more of under pressure but we didn’t look at that.
“Nigeria is a team that is respected, almost won the Afcon the last time, so we have to maintain that standard.”
