Super Eagles seek to rekindle World Cup hopes in Kigali

FG mobilises 500 Nigerians in Rwanda, supporters club, others depart
The Super Eagles know that anything short of victory today in Kigali, will further harm their chances of making the cut to the 2026 World Cup, and with that in mind, they have vowed to leave their blood on the Amahoro Stadium pitch if that is what it means to secure the desired result.

Nigeria will meet Rwanda in their fifth game of the 2026 World Cup African qualifying series with a win capable of relaunching them into contention for the sole Group C ticket. The Super Eagles sit in fifth position with only three points in a group led by Rwanda, South Africa and Benin Republic, who are all on seven points from four games.

The Super Eagles must start winning today to stand a chance of overhauling the leading teams in the race for the Group C ticket. All hands are on deck to see the Super Eagles through, as the Federal Government has already started mobilising the Nigerian community in Rwanda with 500 match tickets to boost the support for the Super Eagles.

A Federal Government delegation has already met with the Nigerian community in Rwanda to mobilise support for the Eagles. An official of the National Sports Commission (NSC) told The Guardian, yesterday, that the delegation has bought tickets for about 500 Nigerians in that country to join those coming from Lagos and Abuja to give massive support for the Super Eagles.

Another delegation from Nigeria numbering about 1,500 is also expected to land in Kigali with drums, horns and other musical instruments to lend their support to the players, who have already vowed to show that they are capable of winning Group C as was predicted by pundits when the draw for this campaign was made in 2023. The delegation from Nigeria including members of the Unified Supporters Club and other stakeholders will depart for Kigali this morning.

The Chairman of the Supporters Club, Vincent Okumagba, has praised the efforts of both the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko and Director General, Bukola Olopade for the arrangement.

“We have no other option than to get the three points here in Kigali,” Super Eagles’ Skipper, William Troost-Ekong, said after their morning training yesterday. “We are ready for whatever style of football our coach wants us to play,” he added.

Coach Eric Chelle had declared during his unveiling ceremony in January this year that he is aware of the expectations of Nigerians, and is prepared for them. He has promised to return the Super Eagles to an attacking style of football. He said: “They need to play high-pressure football. When I was growing up, the Super Eagles were my favourite team. I want to be the best. We need to work harder and play high-pressure football. Time is not the best friend of every coach, but if you accept the risk you need to take responsibility.”

The team’s latest talent, midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha, is praying for luck and hoping to get the chance to show the world his ability in today’s crucial encounter against the Amavubi.

The 23-year-old Niger Tornadoes star, a surprise inclusion in Chelle’s first-ever Super Eagles squad, radiated confidence and humility.

Speaking from the team’s camp at the Radisson Blu, Kigali, the young midfielder expressed his hunger to seize any opportunity and showcase his skills on the global stage.

“To me, I know we have everything—quality players. I just pray for luck,” Papa Daniel said in a video shared by the Super Eagles on X, formerly Twitter.

“If I get a chance, I’ll be happy, and I’ll show Nigeria and the world who I am and what I can do.”

Papa Daniel, who has already impressed with the Super Eagles B team, also admitted his admiration for top footballers inspires him.

African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, is not treating Rwanda with kid gloves. The Atalanta forward rates the Amavubi highly, saying that the Super Eagles must be at their very best to get anything meaningful out of Kigali.

He said: “Now, the team is looking forward to Friday’s game, the first game. We’re looking to go out there and to work hard and to impose ourselves on the game and have a good time.

“We know Rwanda is a good team, we know about their quality, but at the end of the day, we need to be focusing on ourselves and try to bring the game to them, to fight together for the win.”

He, however, said that the Super Eagles have the quality to beat any opposition in Group C. “Everybody knows the level of the players that we have here. It’s an incredible group of players, and most importantly, they’re good people. Everyone has the same objective – to want to win, and that’s very important.

“The group is together, very tight-knit, so that’s the winning formula. Everybody’s positive, we’ve had two good training sessions. So we’re looking forward to putting out a great performance,” he said.

After today’s game in Kigali, the Super Eagles will return to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo to lock horns with Zimbabwe four days later.

The two games are must-win fixtures for the Super Eagles, who have endured a torrid start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.