On Saturday evening, Nigeria and Rwanda will resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a matchday seven clash in CAF Group C at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The Super Eagles are fourth in the table heading into the encounter, while the visitors are placed second in the Group C standings.
In this article, Bet9ja break down the qualifying encounter and preview the fixture.
Nigeria vs Rwanda | Saturday 6th September, 2025 | Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
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Nigeria enter into September’s two World Cup qualifiers in desperate need of all six points, as the Super Eagles currently sit fourth in the Group C standings, trailing second-placed Rwanda by one point and the leaders South Africa by six points.
The Super Eagles, who play both of the top two teams during this international break, have just seven points from their first six group games, recording only one win, four draws and one defeat.
While Nigeria were initially significantly improved under Eric Chelle upon his appointment in January 2025, with two wins and three draws in his first five games in charge – including winning the 2025 Unity Cup – the Super Eagles had a disastrous African Nations Championship campaign in August.
Nigeria lost 1-0 to Senegal and were humiliated 4-0 by Sudan, and while they secured a 2-0 win over Congo Republic, their tally of just three points from three games saw the Super Eagles eliminated from the competition in the group stage.
Chelle will now be desperate for a significantly improved showing in the upcoming two fixtures, with Nigeria aiming to take maximum points to keep their 2026 World Cup dream alive.
A victory over Rwanda would take them above their opponents and potentially into second place, depending on Benin’s result, while a defeat would see them fall four points adrift of the qualifying places with just five games left.
Meanwhile, Rwanda will be eager to return to form after a difficult recent run of results, having failed to win any of their last four games across all competitions, suffering three defeats and recording only one draw in that time.
One of those defeats was also a 2-0 loss to Saturday’s opponents, with Nigeria securing their first and only victory in Group C to date against Rwanda.
Same again today, Victor? ? ?? pic.twitter.com/KXyJbGjBQ7
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Regardless of those recent results, Rwanda will hope to return back to the form that saw them secure two wins, one draw and one loss from their first four games in Group C, with these results currently securing them second place in the standings.
A victory would lift them to four points clear of the Super Eagles, while it could give them a three point lead over third-placed Benin depending on their result against Zimbabwe, potentially boosting their chance of advancing to the playoffs and qualifying for their first ever World Cup tournament.
Team News
Chelle is expected to continue with his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, with world-class striker Victor Osimhen anticipated to lead the line, while Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers will be potential options from the bench.
Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze should start from wide positions for the Super Eagles, while new Crystal Palace signing Christantus Uche could start just behind Osimhen in the front four.
Elsewhere, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka are likely to start in defensive midfield, with captain William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey partnering each other in central defence.
As for Rwanda, Jojea Kwizera has scored two of their four goals in the six Group C fixtures thus far, and the winger is expected to play a big role in this game for the visitors.
Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugiasha and Abeddy Biramahire are likely to take up the other three attacking positions, hoping to lead Rwanda to a potentially crucial victory as they aim for their first-ever World Cup qualification.
Nigeria Predicted XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina; Onyeka, Ndidi; Lookman, Uche, Chukwueze; Osimhen
Rwanda Predicted XI: Ntwari; Ombalenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Niyomugabo; B. Mugisha, Kayitaba; Kwizera, Biramahire, G. Mugisha; Nshuti
Bet9ja Tips
Nigeria may have had a difficult run of results in recent matches and in their opening six World Cup qualifiers, but the Super Eagles secured their only win thus far against Rwanda, and the hosts will be looking to replicate that result on Saturday.
Nigeria will be extremely motivated to claim all three points and keep their World Cup dreams alive, and with the home advantage and far superior quality throughout their squad compared to Rwanda, we expect the home team to win. You can get odds of Nigeria to win of 1.38 with Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria to win: 1.38, Draw: 4.10, Rwanda to win: 11.75 Back Nigeria to get the job done vs Rwanda now with Bet9ja!
