Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles will go all out for victory in opposition to Rwanda on Monday, even with management of group D and a ticket to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco secured, says Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen.
The three-time African champions are decided to maintain their current type and spirit forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that resume in 4 months, and Coach Augustine Eguavoen believes the absence of grieving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina and in-form ahead Ademola Lookman is not going to cease their momentum.
First-choice goalkeeper Nwabali has been excused from camp to go to household and relations following the demise of his father, and English Premier League facet Nottingham Forest begged for wing-back Olaoluwa Aina to be allowed to fly again to the UK for a vital tie, with Nigeria already certified for the AFCON.
Speedy-raider Ademola Lookman, with two targets within the qualifiers like group mate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock within the entrance finish of this window’s double-header, in opposition to Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday, and left camp on Saturday.
The Tremendous Eagles aren’t unaware of the truth that the Amavubi are in the identical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with them, and that they (Rwanda) are the subsequent opponents when the World Cup qualifying marketing campaign resumes in March 2025.
Monday’s encounter will see the return of former primary secure palms Maduka Okoye, and Vibrant Osayi-Samuel might begin at proper wing-back within the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back, and Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre-back.
Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika are nonetheless the choices within the center.
Victor Osimhen, whose purpose earned the one level in Abidjan that took Nigeria to the highest of the pool, will hope to attain in opposition to the Amavubi, having come fairly shut numerous occasions when he joined the fray as a second-half substitute in Kigali in September. He additionally has the goal of overtaking former captain Olusegun Odegbami on the targets’ tally for Nigeria.
The absence of Lookman means a lot will probably be anticipated from fit-fighting and usually-dependable Moses Simon, with Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface all within the race for slots within the fore.
PHOTO: Osimhen in opposition to Benin Republic’s Yohan Cedric Roche throughout Thursday’s match in Abidjan.
