Rwanda head coach, Torsten Spittler believes playing in front of their home fans can help his side secure a win against Nigeria.
The two teams will meet in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday.
Rwanda opened their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Libya last week, and Spittler hopes to build on that result.
“We know our next game against Nigeria won’t be easy, but we hope to make the best of our home advantage,” Spittler said. “Now every point counts, and the draw with Libya brings us more confidence.”
Spittler, who has led the Amavubi to three wins in their last eight matches, is positive his team can upset Nigeria, as well as Libya and Benin, and qualify for their first AFCON since 2004.
He plans to deploy a solid defensive unit to contain Nigeria’s attacking duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who scored all three goals in their 3-0 win against Benin Republic.
In midfield, Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha, and Jean Bosco Rubineka will aim to control the game, while forwards Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi, and Innocent Nshuti will look to trouble Nigeria’s defense.
Nshuti scored the crucial equalizer in Rwanda’s last game against Libya.
Both teams will face off to decide the table leaders with Nigeria topping the table with three points while the latter is second with one point
