As Nigeria prepares to host Rwanda in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on September 6, 2025, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made notable lineup changes. In a move to inject fresh energy and goalscoring prowess, Chelle has excluded veteran defender William Troost-Ekong from the starting eleven, opting instead to start striker Victor Osimhen alongside new addition Simon in attack.
The fixture, set for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, is a must-win for Nigeria to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Currently sitting fourth in Group C with seven points, the Super Eagles trail second-placed Rwanda by just a single point, intensifying the stakes.
Chelle’s chosen formation focuses on a balanced 4-1-3-2 setup, featuring:
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Defense: Nwabali in goal; Aina, Osayi-Samuel, Bassey, and a Troost-Ekong replacement in the backline.
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Midfield: Ndidi and Onyeka provide the holding midfield base, with Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman supporting the front.
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Attack: The striking partnership of Victor Osimhen and Simon offers pace and power to break down Rwanda’s defense.
The coach has notably left out other key attackers such as Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq, and Taiwo Awoniyi from this match, signaling a shift in tactical approach. The Nigerian team will rely heavily on the Premier League stars to inspire a vital win.
Rwanda, coached by Adel Amrouche, arrives with a compact and disciplined squad led by top striker Jojea Kwizera. Despite sitting second in the group with eight points, Rwanda will likely adopt a defensive stance to frustrate Nigeria and capitalize on counter-attacks.
Previous encounters between the two teams have been tightly contested, with Nigeria having secured a 2-0 away victory in the last meeting. However, recent form shows inconsistency for Nigeria, who have drawn four of their last six World Cup qualifiers.
With local fans demanding a passionate display, Chelle’s Super Eagles will look to seize all three points to remain in the race for an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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