Nigeria’s Super Eagles are poised to take on Rwanda’s Amavubi on Monday in the final Group D encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
While the three-time African champions have already secured a ticket to Morocco 2025 and the top spot in the group, Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has assured fans that the team will aim for victory, even in the absence of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina, and forward Ademola Lookman.
PUNCH Online reports that Eguavoen will be keen to maintain the team’s unbeaten run and will likely name a strong squad when Nigeria host Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo by 5pm.
In a Sunday press release titled “Morocco 2025: Despite Ticket in Pocket, Super Eagles Go for Victory Against Amavubi,” published on the Nigeria Football Federation’s website, Eguavoen expressed the importance of maintaining the team’s momentum.
“We are determined to sustain our recent form and spirit as we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resuming in four months,” he said.
The match comes amid the absence of key players.
Lookman joins Aina, Nwabali
First-choice goalkeeper, Nwabali, has left camp following the demise of his father; defender Olaoluwa Aina has returned to Nottingham Forest for club duties; and forward Ademola Lookman, nursing a knock from Thursday’s encounter against Benin Republic, has also exited camp.
“Rapid-raider Ademola Lookman, with two goals in the qualifiers like teammate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock in the front end of this window’s double-header against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday and left camp on Saturday,” the statement read.
“The absence of Nwabali, Aina, and Lookman will not stop our momentum. This team is built to adapt, and we have players ready to step in and deliver,” he stated.
The Super Eagles are not overlooking the significance of Monday’s clash.
