Rwanda vs. Nigeria: WCQ Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

Eric Chelle's Super Eagles are hoping to get off to a good start with Nigeria when they travel to Rwanda for Friday's Group C match at the Amahoro Stadium in the World Cup 2026 qualification.

As they go into the fifth round of matches, the three-time African champions are in second-bottom position, four points behind the joint leaders. They are desperate to avoid any setbacks and secure a spot in the world championships.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

With four games played in World Cup qualification under their belts, Rwanda is in a dangerous position. The Amavubi are tied for first place in Group C with South Africa and Benin, each with seven points, and they face the African powerhouses on Friday.

Last June, the Wasps lost 1-0 to Benin, but they bounced back with a close away win over Lesotho, putting themselves in a good position for their first home match of the season.

The East African country is halfway through qualifying, and new leader Adel Amrouche is hoping to win his first match in command with a victory in their first appearance in the World Cup finals.

Rwanda will be looking to make the most of their two games in Kigali in the next fixtures, where Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho, who are now on five points, and Gernot Rohr's ambitious Benin.

You might understand the home crowd planning ahead of time for Nigeria's arrival if they wanted to ensure a positive outcome for the Amavubi in both matches.

The African powerhouses have begun their season winless in four games, with three draws and a 2-1 loss in Benin despite taking the lead via Raphael Onyedika. To say they have underachieved would be an understatement.

The West African nation's response to Chelle's hiring in January, seven months after the June 2024 disaster, was divided. The Malian manager, who was born in Abidjan, hopes to win over the skeptics by securing results.

Achieving success in his Super Eagles debut is almost crucial for the three-time African champions, who sit on three points heading into Friday's match in Kigali if they wish to maintain realistic hopes of qualifying for the 2026 tournament after missing out in Qatar.

Since their debut in 1994 in the United States, Nigeria has never been absent from consecutive finals; this edition, featuring the finest players from the continent in the last two years (Victor Osimhen in 2023 and Ademola Lookman in 2024), aims to erase that shame.

However, the Super Eagles, winless in their last three encounters with Rwanda and suffering a 2-1 defeat at home in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in November 2024, must secure their first win in the East African nation to bolster their World Cup chances.

Rwanda vs. Nigeria Team News

Yunusu Nshimiyimana and Fitina Omborenga will likely miss the match against Nigeria due to emotional reasons. Their father passed away on Monday.

Rwanda, the joint-second lowest scorer in Group C with three goals, has had different goal scorers, with Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, and Jojea Kwizera finding the net for the Wasps.

Having conceded only one goal in qualifying, Fiacre Ntwari could register his fourth clean sheet for the East African nation if they prevent the Super Eagles from scoring.

It will be intriguing to see if Chelle opts for the 4-3-1-2 formation used by the Mali boss at the previous Cup of Nations or decides on a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with the continental giants.

After missing Nigeria's draw with South Africa and loss to Benin in June 2024 due to injury, Osimhen, who has scored 26 goals for Galatasaray this term, seeks to find the net for the first time in World Cup qualifying in Kigali.

In-form Nantes winger Moses Simon could start in a front three alongside current African Footballer of the Year Lookman and Osimhen, or he may be deployed as one of the wingers if Chelle opts for a 4-4-2 formation.

The lack of players in defence means the back four is almost predetermined. Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are full-backs flanking William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 2.80 on Sky247.ng

Despite Nigeria's ambition to avoid the ignominy of consecutive World Cup absences, this iteration has thus far flattered to deceive despite the presence of Osimhen and Lookman.

Facing a defensively solid home side, the Super Eagles, who have scored just one goal in each of their four games, may have to settle for a point in Kigali.

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