Rwanda’s national football team, the Amavubi, is set to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Nigeria. A one-man advance party will land in Lagos on Monday, while the full delegation is scheduled to touch down aboard a Rwanda Air flight at 1:15 PM on Tuesday, before proceeding to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, by 4 PM.

The Matchday 7 encounter is pivotal for both teams, who are trailing group leaders South Africa. Prior to FIFA’s pending decision on South Africa’s use of an ineligible player in their March win over Lesotho, South Africa sit atop the group with 13 points. Rwanda and Benin Republic are tied on eight points, while Nigeria occupy fourth with seven points. Lesotho has six points, and Zimbabwe are bottom with four.

With the world awaiting FIFA’s ruling, Nigeria and Rwanda are preparing for a high-stakes showdown, as a South African penalty could see the Amavubi leap to nine points. The Super Eagles and Amavubi last met five months ago in Kigali, where Nigeria secured a 2-0 victory. The two sides also clashed nine months ago at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, with Rwanda achieving a 2-1 comeback victory, though it was not enough to qualify for the AFCON, as Benin claimed the second qualification spot.

Following the Lagos encounter, Rwanda will face bottom-placed Zimbabwe on Matchday 8, while Nigeria travels to Bloemfontein to challenge group leaders South Africa.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U17 boys team, the Golden Eaglets, continue preparations ahead of the WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament. The five-time world champions played two friendlies over the weekend, defeating Darazo Football Academy of Bauchi 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Gombe U17 Boys in a rain-affected match.

The Golden Eaglets have now played 11 preparatory friendlies, registering nine wins, one draw, and one loss, signalling strong form ahead of the regional tournament. (AriseNews TV)