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Nigeria host Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Date & Time: Saturday, September 6 – 16:00 GMT ( 17:00 WAT)
How to Watch: SuperSport, AfroSport
Group C standings
Nigeria sit fourth with seven points from six games. Rwanda are two points ahead in second, level with Botswana.
- South Africa – 13 points
- Rwanda – 8 points
- Benin – 8 points
- Nigeria – 7 points
- Lesotho – 6 points
- Zimbabwe – 4 points
Form guide
- Nigeria ended a five-match winless run with a 2-0 win over Congo-Brazzaville in August’s CHAN game.
- Rwanda are winless in their last four across all competitions, including a 2-0 friendly defeat to Algeria in June.
What the captain said
Super Eagles skipper William Troost-Ekong insists the focus is on Saturday’s fixture. “You take one step at a time. We have Rwanda to play on Saturday, and there are three points there. After that is concluded, then we begin to think of South Africa.”
He added: “We will do our very best to go all out and win the remaining four matches. Hopefully, that will be good enough to take us there.”
Rwanda’s view
Rwandan FA president Fabrice Shema, speaking to Isimbi, stressed the importance of the game: “For me, losing is not an option, that’s what I told the players. The atmosphere is good and the coach told me that the players seem happy with the new manager, because they already know him from football. Last year we beat Nigeria here at home, so we can do it again.”
Head-to-head
- Eight meetings since 2004
- Nigeria wins: 3
- Rwanda wins: 1
- Draws: 4
- Last match: Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria (March 2025 World Cup qualifier, Kigali)
What’s at stake
- Nigeria need a win to stay in the race for a World Cup spot. Victory would move them to 10 points before facing leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein next week.
- Rwanda could reach 11 points with a win, strengthening their bid to qualify as one of the best runners-up.
Score Prediction
Nigeria are favourites at home but Rwanda have shown resilience in recent meetings. The safest call is Nigeria to win and under 3.5 goals.
Exact score prediction: Nigeria 2-0 Rwanda.
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