Nigeria vs Rwanda Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | AFCON Qualifiers, November 18, 2024

Nigeria vs Rwanda Preview

• Competition: AFCON Qualifiers.
• Date: Monday, November 18.
• Time: 5:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Nigeria vs Rwanda will be the sixth and final game in Group D of the AFCON Qualifiers as the group leaders gear up to host the team in third, with the latter still in with a chance for advancing.

The hosts will enter this contest on the back of a decent run of form. They have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five matches across competitions. The Super Eagles are also unbeaten in this stage of the qualifying rounds, with three wins and two draws to their name so far. They secured a 1-1 draw away in Benin in their previous match and will look to end the round with a win on home soil.

The visitors, on the other hand, will enter this game on the back of a mixed run of form. They have secured two wins, one draw and suffered two defeats in their last five matches across competitions. While the wins have been good, Rwanda will look to minimize defeat and will search for consistency in their results. They fell to a 1-0 defeat against Libya at home in their last game and will take on a much stronger opponent next time around.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news from both camps.

Nigeria National Football Team News

Manager Augustine Eguavoen fielded a strong lineup in a 3-4-2-1 formation in their 1-1 draw last time around. The manager has and will have all his players available for the next one, and also used all five substitutions allowed to him in the last game as he looks to give each member of the squad some valuable game time.

Rwanda National Football Team News

Manager Torsten Spittler fielded a strong team in a 4-3-3 setup against Libya in their 1-0 defeat last time. The team put in a strong performance and were solid with and without the ball but were unfortunate to lose narrowly. They played well and will look to repeat the intensity in the next game with no injuries or suspensions to note.

Predicted Lineups

Nigeria National Football Team Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabili.

Defenders: Gabriel Osho, William Troost-Ekong (C), Calvin Bassey.

Midfielders: Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi.

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen.

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Rwanda National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Fiacre Ntwari.

Defenders: Fitina Ombolenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Thierry Manzi, Emmanuel Imanishimwe.

Midfielders: Djihad Bizimana (C), Bonheur Mugisha, Samuel Gueulette.

Forwards: Jojea Kwizera, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha.

Nigeria vs Rwanda Head-to-Head Record

These two nations first faced off in 2018 and have met just twice in their footballing histories. One game has been played in Rwanda and the other in Nigeria, but both have ended with the exact same goalless scoreline of 0-0.

Key Players to Watch

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

The Atalanta forward has been in good form for both club and country in recent times and will look to make a good impact on his country’s next fixture. He has produced eight goals and five assists in just 14 appearances for his club across competitions. Having made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2022, Lookman has eight goals and four assists in 27 games and will look to add to that.

Innocent Nshuti (Rwanda)

The Rwanda player has bagged two goals so far in the tournament, with one coming in their 2-1 win against Benin, while the other came in a 1-1 draw against Libya. Playing up front, the team will rely on his movement and ability to convert chances as they prepare to face one of the strongest sides on the continent.

Nigeria vs Rwanda Prediction

Going by both teams’ respective form guides, as well as their recent head-to-head record, it is apparent that their matches always end up being close affairs. With two draws in their two meetings, it is quite possible that the next one will also end the same way, albeit with goals on both ends.

Prediction: Nigeria 1-1 Rwanda

Where to watch Nigeria vs Rwanda live?

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