Interim supervisor Augustine Eguavoen has declared that Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles are raring to go for all six factors out there on this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches in opposition to their counterparts from Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The reigning African vice champions conflict with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September after which preserve a date with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali three days later.
“Our goal is evident: to select the six factors in each matches. The gamers know this, and are dedicated to engaging in this. The matches is not going to be straightforward; no qualifying sport could be taken with no consideration as a result of all of the groups wish to play within the finals. Nonetheless, we’ve spoken to the gamers and all of us are on the identical web page.
“Beginning with the match in opposition to Benin Republic on Saturday, no one is mentioning something about revenge. Our purpose is three factors, after which we purpose for one more three factors in Kigali on Tuesday that may put us in good stead for qualification.”
Eguavoen has quite a lot of stalwarts who’re actually decided to appease followers and fans for lacking the 2 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June, from which poor outcomes threaten the Eagles’ possibilities of reaching the 2026 finals.
AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competitors William Ekong, additionally crew captain, was ignored for the ties in opposition to South Africa and Benin Republic as he was recovering from damage, however is again on the coronary heart of the rearguard to steer the three-time African champions to hunt for factors for one more showpiece. Ekong scored three objectives on the AFCON finals early within the 12 months.
Reigning African Participant of the Yr Victor Osimhen missed the 2 video games in June, as defender Ola Aina and star ahead Moses Simon as a result of damage. Osimhen simply signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray and might be eager to impress his new employers, whereas banishing talks of his rustiness.
Fast-raider Simon, who on his good day can single-handedly decimate the opposition, can also be desperate to once more dorn the green-white-green, simply as Aina.
Eguavoen is almost certainly to start out goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, with Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ekong and Bassey on the rear, and any three of Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika in midfield. Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman are gunning for shirts on the fore.
Lookman, within the listing of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, will stroll with a better spring in his steps, and justifiably so. He scored three essential objectives for Nigeria on the AFCON, and his 17 objectives and 11 assists steered Atalanta FC to the Europa Cup last, the place his hat-trick did the injury on German membership, Bayer Leverkusen.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 5pm contained in the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
