In a decisive move to fine-tune their strategy, the Rwanda national football team, Amavubi, has officially commenced a training camp in Kigali ahead of their pivotal FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The camp opened on Sunday, signaling the team’s serious intent to secure a positive result in the challenging away fixture.
The 27-man provisional squad, currently lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, underwent their first training session on Monday at the iconic Amahoro Stadium. The sessions are being conducted under the meticulous supervision of head coach Adel Amrouche, who is tasked with finalizing his tactical approach for the crucial encounter.
According to team officials, the current squad will be trimmed down to a final list of 24 players before the team’s scheduled departure for Nigeria on Tuesday, September 2nd. The Rwandan delegation is set to embark on their journey via RwandAir, with a departure time of 2:15 p.m. from Kigali. Their flight will first touch down in Lagos before the team continues its travel to the city of Uyo, the designated venue for the match.
The highly anticipated Matchday 7 clash of the CAF Group C qualifiers is set for Friday, September 6th, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. This match is of immense importance for both sides as the race for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies.
Following their encounter with the Super Eagles, the Amavubi will not return home immediately. Instead, they will continue their qualifying campaign with another away fixture against Zimbabwe. Notably, this match will be played on neutral ground in South Africa on Monday, September 9th, due to the lack of CAF-approved stadiums in Zimbabwe.
The Stakes in Group C
The context of the group standings adds a layer of high drama to the upcoming match. The group is currently led by South Africa with 13 points, though their position is subject to a pending FIFA ruling regarding allegations of fielding an ineligible player during a match against Lesotho in March.
Rwanda finds itself in a promising but precarious second place, tied on eight points with third-placed Benin. Nigeria, a traditional African football powerhouse, is breathing down their necks in fourth place with seven points, making this a must-win game for the Super Eagles. The group remains wide open, with Lesotho closely behind on six points and Zimbabwe at the bottom with four.
This setup creates a scenario where a victory for either Nigeria or Rwanda could dramatically reshape the group’s hierarchy and provide crucial momentum in the final stretch of the qualifiers.
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