Nigeria vs Rwanda 2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Preview, Team News & Betting Offers
Nigeria might have already secured their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Group D leaders, but acting head coach Augustine Eguavoen insists they’re going for all three points in their final qualifier against Rwanda on Monday.
The Super Eagles only needed a point from their matchday 5 fixture against the Benin Republic to book their ticket to the 35th AFCON in Morocco.
However, they ended up sealing qualification even before kicking a ball, thanks to Rwanda’s surprise 1-0 defeat to Libya in Kigali.
Rwanda’s loss opened the door for Benin, who thought they were on the brink of qualification when Mohamed Tijani’s first-half strike put them in the lead against Ivory Coast at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
But their joy was short-lived as Victor Osimhen’s late equaliser dashed their hopes, leaving Benin, Libya, and Rwanda all competing for the group’s second qualification spot heading into the final matchday.
That hard-fought draw against Benin saw Nigeria move to 11 points, keeping their unbeaten run intact, and Eguavoen wants to wrap up the qualifiers on a high note, especially in front of the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
“We want to qualify without losing a game, and we know we’re capable of that. We have all it takes to beat anyone, any time,” Eguavoen said.
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110% Welcome Bonus Up to ₦50.000Rwanda Defiant Despite Uphill Challenge
For Rwanda, anything less than a win would end their AFCON hopes, especially after losing control of their fate with that late collapse against Libya courtesy of Saad Mohamed’s 84th-minute dagger.
To make it through, Rwanda will need to pull off something they’ve never done before – beat Nigeria – and then hope that Libya can do them a favour by defeating Benin in Tripoli.
The Amavubi are in third with five points, two behind Benin and one ahead of Libya. With an inferior head-to-head record against both of their rivals, their only chance lies in an upset victory in Uyo, alongside favourable results elsewhere.
Head coach Torsten Spittler acknowledges the monumental challenge ahead but remains hopeful his side can pull off a shock.
“It’s simple – if we want to be at AFCON, we have to win this match. That’s our mission. I expect an exciting game against Nigeria and a fight until the very last minute,” Spittler declared.
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Triple bonus 200% up to ₦150,000Nigeria vs Rwanda: Team News, Squads, and Predicted Line-ups
Nigeria Team News
With their spot at the 2025 AFCON already secured, Nigeria’s head coach Augustine Eguavoen has made a few adjustments to his squad ahead of their clash with Rwanda.
Defender Ola Aina has returned to England at the request of his club, Nottingham Forest, as they prepare for a crucial Premier League match against Arsenal.
Similarly, Ademola Lookman has been released back to Atalanta after sustaining a minor injury during the draw with Benin.
Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been granted compassionate leave following the recent passing of his father. This means we’ll see the return of former number one, Maduka Okoye, who last stood between the sticks for the Super Eagles almost three years ago.
With Aina unavailable, Bright Osayi-Samuel is likely to step in as the right wing-back, while Bruno Onyemaechi retains his spot at left wing-back. At the heart of defence, Captain William Troost-Ekong will be partnered by Calvin Bassey.
In midfield, Nigeria has a wealth of options, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika.
Up front, Victor Osimhen, whose goal against Benin was his second in qualifying and 23rd overall, moving him level with Segun Odegbami, will be looking to move clear in second place in Nigeria’s all-time scorer’s list with his 24th international goal against Rwanda.
The absence of Lookman means one of Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface will start on the flanks alongside Moses Simon.
Nigeria Probable XI:
- Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka, Iwobi, Ndidi; Simon, Osimhen, Chukwueze
Welcome Bonus Up to ₦200.000Rwanda Team News
For Rwanda, head coach Torsten Spittler comes into this must-win fixture with a fully fit squad – a significant boost for the Amavubi.
All eyes will be on Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari who put in a heroic display in the reverse fixture, making nine saves to secure a goalless draw in Kigali.
Rwanda’s hopes of pulling off an upset in Uyo will rest heavily on the shoulders of Innocent Nshuti, who has been in fine form, scoring two of their three goals in the qualifiers.
He will be relying on the creativity of Djihad Bizimana and Gilbert Mugisha, who have been pivotal in midfield with their average of 2.0 and 1.8 key passes per game, respectively, during the qualifiers.
Rwanda Probable XI:
- Ntwari; Omborenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi; Imanishimwe; Bizimana, Mugisha, Gueulette; Kwizera, Nshuti, Mugisha
100% Welcome Bonus Up to ₦50.000Nigeria vs Rwanda Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Monday’s clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be the seventh meeting between Nigeria and Rwanda. The Super Eagles have never lost this fixture, having won twice and drawn four times, including a goalless draw earlier in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
This will be the fourth meeting between both teams in an AFCON qualifying match. Nigeria have drawn both away games and won their only previous home clash against Rwanda.
The Amavubi have only ever scored one goal against the Super Eagles and have failed to score in five of their last six encounters with the three-time African champions.
Nigeria have already secured the top spot in Group D after bagging three wins and two draws.
Rwanda have recorded one win, two draws, and two losses. However, even a win on Monday won’t automatically see them through due to their poor head-to-head record with Benin and Libya.
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The Super Eagles head into this clash as clear favourites according to top betting sites. Given their history against the Amavubi, it’s hard to see Rwanda causing an upset, especially in Nigeria.
The last time these two sides met in Nigeria, Rwanda left empty-handed, and they’ve only managed to score once against the Super Eagles in all six previous encounters.
Yes, the stakes are high for the Amavubi – they need a win on Monday to keep their qualification hopes alive. But considering they couldn’t capitalise on home advantage against Libya, which would have boosted them to second in the group, it feels like a tall order to expect them to shock Nigeria here.
Even with the Super Eagles potentially easing off the gas, having already secured their place, it’s unlikely Rwanda will manage to pull off a miracle.
Anything other than a win for Nigeria, who’ll be eager to wrap up their qualification campaign on a high note, would be a major surprise.
Beyond this match, these two sides will face off again when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers kick off in March 2025. Nigeria will definitely want to lay down a marker with a convincing win, setting the tone for that future encounter.
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- Game: Nigeria vs Rwanda
- Date: November 18, 2024
- Kick-off: 17h00 WAT (05:00 pm)
- Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
You can watch the Nigeria vs Rwanda 2025 AFCON matchday 6 fixture live on SuperSport for DStv subscribers and also on Free-to-Air via BON (Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria) member stations throughout the country.
