Nigeria’s Super Eagles are expected to come out of this Friday’s match against Rwanda with a good result if the opinion poll conducted by the leading newspaper in Rwanda is anything to go by.

As of Thursday evening, Rwanda has been temporarily upstaged at the top of Group C log of the World Cup qualifiers by Benin who were forced to a 2-2 draw by Zimbabwe.

A win over Nigeria would push Rwanda back to the top and closer to a dream first-ever World Cup appearance while a similar result could potentially bring the Super Eagles in fresh contention for a ticket back to the 2026 World Cup after missing out in Qatar in 2022.

Stakes are therefore high for the two teams. Rwandans shared their thoughts on the possible outcome of the match with The New Nation newspaper.

Hamza Nkuutu

Prediction: Rwanda 1-1 Nigeria

“I am not a man of making predictions, but Rwanda vs Nigeria has always been a difficult one to call for the punters.

“It’s not going to be any different even this time round. My heart tells me Amavubi will squeeze it 1-0 but the head says it’s going to be a draw 1-1. These two teams have a history of even matches.

“Each team has won once and drawn four of the previous six international meetings.

“Rwanda won the most recent match, which gives them the momentum and with home advantage. I don’t see Adel Amrouche losing his first match in charge of Rwanda.”

Peter Kamasa

Prediction: Rwanda 1-1 Nigeria

“Despite being major underdogs, Rwanda surprisingly sits top of Group C in the CAF qualification table after four rounds. Only first place secures a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

“This didn’t come by chance, the players worked for it and, if you look at the history Rwanda has managed to silence Super Eagles in matches held in Kigali and I expect them to do the same ahead of Friday’s match.

“On paper, this looks like an easy win for Nigeria, but that certainly won’t be the case here because, if the boys can give their best, it can be a different story.”

Edmund Okai Gyimah, Football Journalist

Prediction: Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria

“As someone from West Africa (Ghana), I know Nigeria too well. They have struggled over the years against smaller teams.

“Teams such as Guinea Bissau, Central Africa and even in these qualifiers Lesotho, Benin and Zimbabwe all caused them problems.

“I don’t see Nigeria winning in Kigali. If it was to be Torsten Spittler, this game would have been a done deal for Amavubi but new coach Adel Amrouche will have to get to know the team and that will be the only thing which could be a bane for his team to win.

“Big names don’t play and I believe Rwanda can get something from the game. I will go for Rwanda 0 Nigeria 0.”

Hudson Kuteesa

Prediction: Rwanda 1-2 Nigeria

“Rwanda has had an impressive run of results in the current World Cup qualifiers as well as the recently concluded AFCON qualifiers.

“This has created confidence in the players that big teams like Nigeria and South Africa are beatable. Such is quite a positive thing that we can count on as we face Nigeria.

“However, there are a number of things we need to look at. During the last two games we played against the Nigerians, we got good results, but it is important to mention that the West Africans played well, arguably better than us.

“Having mentioned that Nigeria looks stronger than Rwanda in almost all departments, at least on paper.

“To get a good result, Rwanda may have to be tactically up to the task. But considering that we have a new coach, I can imagine that he has not had enough time to work with the team.

“It might be a bit difficult for him to start his tenure with such a big game. I think Rwanda will fight well on home turf, but in the end, the Nigerians might walk away with a slim victory, for example, 2-1.”

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Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic fluffed a two-goal advantage in their away game with Zimbabwe to end the Group C World Cup qualifiers at 2-2. The Cheetahs of Benin however temporarily go atop with eight points ahead of the conclusion of the other Group C matches.

In the duel played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, the ‘hosts’ Zimbabwe have Knowledge Musona to thank as he scored to level at 2-2.

Benin took the lead in the 11th minute after capitalizing on a costly error by Washington Arubi.

Benin’s Dodu Dokou intercepted the ball from Arubi and laid a pass to Steve Mounie to slot into an empty net.

Benin then doubled the lead in the 30th minute through Dokou.

Zimbabwe began their comeback when Marshall Munets scored just a minute before regulation time in the first half. Musona levelled up in the 58th minute.

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Mozambique moved to the top of Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda at the Cairo Stadium on Thursday.

A dominant first-half display saw the Mambas secure all three points as Pepo netted twice before turning provider for Stanley Ratifo’s late goal just before half-time.

Uganda’s Muhammad Shaban had briefly restored parity early on, but the Cranes were left with an uphill battle after Denis Omedi’s red card before the break.

The result moves Mozambique to 12 points, three ahead of Algeria, who face Botswana on Friday and need a win to keep pace in the group.

Uganda, meanwhile, remains in third place with Botswana and Guinea, all tied on six points.

Pepo shines as Mozambique take control

Mozambique wasted little time in asserting their dominance, opening the scoring in just the fourth minute through Pepo, who capitalized on defensive hesitation to slot home.

However, Uganda responded swiftly, with Shaban equalizing in the seventh minute after a well-placed shot inside the box.

The Mambas, however, continued to dictate the tempo and were back in front by the 17th minute.

A mistake from Uganda’s goalkeeper allowed Pepo to pounce on a loose ball and bag his second of the match, further strengthening Mozambique’s hold on the game.

Things went from bad to worse for Uganda as Omedi received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes (34’, 39’), reducing his team to ten men.

Mozambique seized the opportunity, and in first-half stoppage time, Pepo turned provider, setting up Ratifo to make it 3-1 at the break.

A second-half stalemate sees Mozambique home

Despite their numerical advantage, Mozambique was unable to extend their lead after the interval. Uganda, to their credit, tightened up defensively and managed to keep the Mambas at bay.

However, with a two-goal cushion, Mozambique had done enough to claim victory and take pole position in Group G.

Algeria now faces added pressure ahead of their clash with Botswana, knowing that anything less than three points will leave Mozambique in sole control of the group ahead of their crucial showdown on Matchday 6.

-CAF

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