Nigeria vs Rwanda Predictions - Super Eagles to kill Amavubi’s AFCON dreams

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 4 hours ago

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Nigeria has qualified for AFCON, topping the group.
Predicted win for Nigeria due to strong home performance.
Rwanda must win but struggles away; lost last 2 away.

Victor Osimhen to score in Nigeria victory over Rwanda in Uyo (Getty Images).

Nigeria vs Rwanda Predictions

Nigeria have already qualified but they are strong at home and will play to win. Rwanda need a victory but they’re poor travellers. I’m backing a home win with a clean sheet.
Nigeria vs Rwanda Predictions
Head to Head
Nigeria Form
Nigeria Injuries & Team News
Rwanda Form
Rwanda Injuries & Team News

Nigeria have won 5 of their last 7 AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 7 AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen has scored 9 goals in his last 7 matches.
Rwanda have failed to score in their last 4 matches vs Nigeria.
Rwanda have lost to zero in their last 2 away AFCON qualifiers.

Head to Head

These sides have met on six previous occasions. Nigeria have two wins and four clashes have finished in draws.

The nations last met in September as it finished 0-0 in Rwanda.

Nigeria Form

The Super Eagles have reached the next edition of the African Cup of Nations and have topped the group with a game to spare. That makes this match a dead rubber.

A 3-0 home win over Benin started their AFCON qualifying journey. After drawing 0-0 vs Rwanda in Kigali, they scored late to beat Libya 1-0 at home.

A 3-0 forfeit win over Libya followed after CAF’s ruling on the fixture. On Thursday, a late Victor Osimhen goal was needed to rescue a 1-1 draw in Ivory Coast vs Benin.

Nigeria Injuries & Team News

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen may consider some rotation to his XI with qualification secured.

Moses Simon, Victor Boniface and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka are strong options to start this match.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Sadiq Umar

Rwanda Form

Rwanda can still qualify if they win this match and Benin fail to beat Libya. They’re unbeaten at home in qualifying but have lost both away fixtures.

A 0-0 draw vs Nigeria preceded a 3-0 loss away to Benin. After beating Benin 2-1 at home, they played Djibouti in a CHAN preliminary tie with only local players (1-0 away loss, 3-0 home win).

On Thursday, Rwanda suffered a damaging 1-0 home loss to Libya. They leaked an 84th minute goal to leave their qualification hopes out of their own hands.

Rwanda Injuries & Team News

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari is a key man and has carried them in recent matches. Innocent Nshuti is key in attack and is the top scorer in the squad with just four international goals.

German coach Torsten Spittler made two half-time changes against Libya and may ring the alterations to his XI for this match.

Goalkeepers: Fiacre Ntwari, Adolphe Hakizimana, Maxime Wenssens

Defenders: Fitina Omborenga, Thierry Manzi, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo, Aimable Nsabimana, Clement Niyigena, Christian Ishimwe, Gilbert Byiringiro, Yunusu Nshimiyimana

Midfielders: Djihad Bizimana, Kevin Muhire, Bonheur Mugisha, Jean Bosco Ruboneka, Steve Rubanguka, Samuel Gueulette, Jojea Kwizera

Forwards: Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Arthur Gitego, Didier Mugisha, Hadji Iraguha, Olivier Dushimimana