Later today, Nigeria host Rwanda in the sixth and final matchday in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles secured their passage through to next year’s tournament with a 1-1 draw to Benin last Thursday but will be hoping to end the qualification campaign on a high with three points.
Nigeria vs Rwanda
Monday 18 November, 17:00
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Nigeria recorded another disappointing result in their last outing against Benin, having to come from one goal behind to eventually draw 1-1 thanks to an 81st minute equaliser from Victor Osimhen.
The draw means the Super Eagles have won just two of their last seven matches, though they have been awarded a third win due to the match against Libya being cancelled in October, across all competitions, an underwhelming run of results considering the huge amount of talent at their disposal.
However, the point did see Nigeria ultimately ensure that they will finish at the top of Group D having won three and drawn two of their five matches thus far, leaving them on 11 points while second-placed Benin have seven.
The Super Eagles, therefore, enter this match with only pride at stake, but Augustine Eguavoen will still be keen for his side to regain winning form and build momentum ahead of their return to World Cup qualifying action, where they currently sit fifth in the table and four points adrift of the qualification spots.
Rwanda, on the other hand, require a victory and for Benin to lose against bottom of the table Libya if they are to secure second place and qualification to the next edition of AFCON.
Rwanda come into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Libya, conceding an 84th-minute winner from Fahad Al Mesmari, bringing an end to a two-game winning streak across all competitions.
They have not defeated Nigeria in either of their last two meetings, drawing 0-0 on both occasions, but they may fancy their chances against a Super Eagles side that have often looked far from convincing in recent times.
Nigeria Predicted XI: Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Lookman, Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon; Boniface, Osimhen
Rwanda Predicted XI: Ntwari; Ombolenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Imanishimwe; Bizimana, Mugisha, Gueulette; Kwizera, Nshuti, Mugisha
Bet9ja Tips
Nigeria may have had a rough run of results in recent times, but their morale would have been boosted after equalising late on in their last match to secure their place at the next AFCON tournament.
While Rwanda do have more at stake than the Super Eagles, with a chance to qualify still, the hosts are undoubtedly the stronger side and we expect them to comfortably win this game. Nigeria to win by two goals is priced up at 3.45.
Osimhen scored upon his return to the side in the 1-1 draw with Benin, meaning the striker has now netted in each of his last four outings for both club and country, scoring six goals in that time. With this, we believe that the world-class striker will score once again for Nigeria here. You can get odds of 2.10 for this to happen at Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria win: 1.38, Draw: 4.60, Rwanda win: 9.70
Best Booking Codes:
Nigeria to win: 83PVYD – Book Here
Nigeria to win by 2 goals: 83PXC6 – Book Here
Osimhen to score anytime: 83PY72 – Book Here
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by Habibu Mohammed
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