Morocco 2025: Super Eagles eye unbeaten streak as Amavubi comes knocking in Aba

Posted : 18 November 2024

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go all out for victory against Rwanda on Monday, even with the leadership of Group D and a ticket to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco secured, says Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen.

The three-time African champions are determined to sustain their recent form and spirit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which resume in four months. Coach Augustine Eguavoen believes the absence of grieving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina, and in-form forward Ademola Lookman will not stop their momentum.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

First-choice goalkeeper Nwabali has been excused from camp to visit family following the passing of his father. English Premier League side Nottingham Forest requested that wing-back Olaoluwa Aina be allowed to return to the United Kingdom for a crucial match, with Nigeria already qualified for the AFCON.

Rapid-raider Ademola Lookman, with two goals in the qualifiers like teammate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock during the first leg of this window's double-header against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday and left camp on Saturday.

The Super Eagles are aware that the Amavubi are in the same 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, and that Rwanda will be their next opponent when the World Cup qualifying campaign resumes in March 2025.

Monday’s encounter will see the return of former number one goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, and Bright Osayi-Samuel could start at right wing-back in the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back, and Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre-back.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika will still be options in midfield.

Victor Osimhen, whose goal earned the one point in Abidjan that took Nigeria to the top of the group, will hope to score against the Amavubi, having come close several times when he joined the fray as a second-half substitute in Kigali in September.

He also has the goal of overtaking former captain Olusegun Odegbami on the goalscoring tally for Nigeria.

The absence of Lookman means much will be expected from the fit and usually dependable Moses Simon, with Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface all in the race for spots up front.

Morocco 2025: Super Eagles eye unbeaten streak as Amavubi comes knocking in Aba

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics