Super Eagles and Rwanda’s Amavubi again drew their encounter in Kigali, the third time they will be meeting at the Rwanda capital city. All encounters of both teams in the city have all been drawn.

The first was a 2006 World Cup qualifier when Obafemi Martins salvaged a point for Nigeria after Rwanda’s Jimmy Gatete had shot the hosts ahead early in the second half.

The next time was an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2012 and it ended in a goalless draw just like the one of this Tuesday.

The result not withstanding, Nigeria still leads the Group D ahead of tonight’s encounter of Benin Republic and Libya in Abidjan. Only Libya will be able to upstage Nigeria after the MatchDay 2 if they are able to beat Benin by more than three goals.

Perhaps the tale would have been sweeter for the Super Eagles if their 21^st minute header by Ademola Lookman which found the back of the net had not been chalked off.

The team put up spirited efforts, but the Rwandans have their goalkeeper, Fiarce Ntiwari to thank as he saved many point blank shots and headers by menacing Nigerian forwards.

 The Super Eagles still have unfinished jobs with the Rwandans. Apart from the return match of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers holding on 19 November this year, both teams still have two outstanding World Cup qualifiers in Kigali on 17 March next year and in Nigeria on 1 September 2025.

  Nigeria’s next AFCON qualifier will be an home game against Libya on Monday October 7.

Nigeria’s interim coach, Austin Eguavoen has a mission to accomplish this Tuesday afternoon in Kigali. “I am here for all the available three points”, he told a pre-match press conference on Monday.

“This is my third time here; the first time I came as an assistant coach to Christian Chukwu.”

At the match, Nigeria came from a goal down to draw 1-1 in a World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

“I respect Rwanda very much and they also respect us. It will be a great game but our objective is to win the game.

“I will commend Rwanda for the great reception we have received. We are on a mission and we hope to achieve our target.”

Rwanda drew 1-1 with Libya in Tripoli on match day 1 while Nigeria also thrashed neighbors Benin 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to go on top of the Group D.

A win for the Super Eagles will see them move top of the group with six points after two match days.

Ahead of this afternoon’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel with Nigeria in Kigali, Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler has admitted that the Super Eagles will give his side a hard time.

The German coach is aware of the talent that the Super Eagles have at their disposal but he trusts his men to live up to their expectations while playing before their home supporters.

“It is going to be a tough game. We are going to play against a world class squad with quality players. Our training has been good and I am positive we will get something out of the encounter,” Rwanda’s lead newspaper, New Times quoted Spittler as saying at a s in a pre-match press conference.

This is going to be Spittler’s eighth match in charge of Rwanda. The team has recorded three wins, three draws and one defeat in their last seven matches under the German gaffer in all competitions.

Asked about the team’s progress since taking charge of the team in November 2023, Spittler said that it is a gradual process and they will only get better.

“We are in transition; it is a process. What we learn here is different from what they learn at club level. This is our fourth camping and the players are so far improving in everyday’s training,” he said.

Nigeria head coach Augustine Eguavoen has the likes of star striker Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman who can change the game at anytime. Despite his squad rich in top talent, he is aware that football has evolved and reserves respect for Rwanda.