Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles are poised to tackle Rwanda’s Amavubi on Monday within the last Group D encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Whereas the three-time African champions have already secured a ticket to Morocco 2025 and the highest spot within the group, Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has assured followers that the staff will intention for victory, even within the absence of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina, and ahead Ademola Lookman.
PUNCH On-line reviews that Eguavoen can be eager to take care of the staff’s unbeaten run and can possible identify a robust squad when Nigeria host Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo by 5pm.
In a Sunday press launch titled “Morocco 2025: Regardless of Ticket in Pocket, Tremendous Eagles Go for Victory Towards Amavubi,” printed on the Nigeria Soccer Federation’s web site, Eguavoen expressed the significance of sustaining the staff’s momentum.
“We’re decided to maintain our current kind and spirit as we put together for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resuming in 4 months,” he stated.
The match comes amid the absence of key gamers.
Lookman joins Aina, Nwabali
First-choice goalkeeper, Nwabali, has left camp following the demise of his father; defender Olaoluwa Aina has returned to Nottingham Forest for membership duties; and ahead Ademola Lookman, nursing a knock from Thursday’s encounter towards Benin Republic, has additionally exited camp.
“Fast-raider Ademola Lookman, with two targets within the qualifiers like teammate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock within the entrance finish of this window’s double-header towards Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday and left camp on Saturday,” the assertion learn.
PUNCH On-line had earlier reported Lookman as a doubt inclusion within the Rwanda recreation.
Regardless of this, Eguavoen stays assured in his squad’s depth.
“The absence of Nwabali, Aina, and Lookman won’t cease our momentum. This staff is constructed to adapt, and we’ve gamers able to step in and ship,” he acknowledged.
The Tremendous Eagles aren’t overlooking the importance of Monday’s conflict.
2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Rwanda is in the identical group as Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with the 2 groups set to fulfill once more in March 2025.
This match, due to this fact, supplies an early psychological edge.
Key adjustments within the lineup are anticipated, with Maduka Okoye returning to protect the purpose and Brilliant Osayi-Samuel prone to fill Aina’s place at proper wingback. Bruno Onyemaechi is tipped to play on the left, whereas the centre-back pairing of Captain William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey will anchor the defence.
Within the midfield, Nigeria boasts a wealth of choices, together with Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka, alongside rising skills like Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Upfront, Victor Osimhen, whose purpose towards the Benin Republic secured Nigeria’s group management, is anticipated to guide the assault. With Lookman unavailable, a lot will relaxation on the shoulders of Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar to offer the artistic spark.
Osimhen, who’s closing in on surpassing former captain Olusegun Odegbami’s purpose tally for Nigeria, is keen to depart his mark.
“This can be a probability to not solely win but in addition to point out our readiness for larger challenges forward,” the Galatasaray striker remarked.
The Tremendous Eagles’ dedication to ship a top-tier efficiency displays their broader ambition of staying aggressive forward of the World Cup qualifiers.