Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda have both touched down in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, in preparation for the decisive 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier scheduled for Monday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Nigeria, fresh from securing their qualification with a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, arrived at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport at 3:50 p.m. on Friday.
The team, led by interim coach , Austin Eguaveone, traveled aboard a ValueJet chartered aircraft, signaling their readiness to conclude the qualifying series on a high note.
Rwanda’s Amavubi arrived shortly after, landing at 5:00 p.m. via an Ibom Air flight from Lagos. The team had initially departed Kigali aboard a RwandAir flight before connecting to Uyo.
Despite their 1-0 defeat at home to Libya in their last outing, Rwanda remains mathematically in contention for a place at Morocco 2025.
To qualify, the Amavubi must defeat the Super Eagles and hope for a favourable result in Tripoli, where Libya will face Benin Republic.
The permutations are clear: Nigeria tops the group with 11 points from five matches, while Benin (seven points), Rwanda (five points), and Libya (four points) vie for the group’s second qualification spot.
The Super Eagles, already assured of their spot at the tournament after Libya’s victory over Rwanda in Kigali, are expected to approach the game with less pressure than their intense encounter against Benin.
In that match, Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute header salvaged a draw after Mohamed Tijani had given the Cheetahs the lead in the first half.
Rwanda’s visit to Nigeria evokes memories of the teams’ initial meeting in Kigali last September.
That match ended in a controversial goalless draw, with Nigeria having a seemingly valid Ademola Lookman header disallowed by a Moroccan referee.
Incidentally, another Moroccan officiating team, led by the experienced 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz, will handle Monday’s encounter.
Guezzaz will be joined by assistants Zakaria Brinsi, Abdessamad Abertoune, and Kech Chaf Mustapha, with Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana serving as match commissioner and Somalian Ali Mohamed Ahmed as referee assessor. The officials are set to arrive in Uyo on Saturday.
The Super Eagles will be keen to entertain their home supporters in what promises to be a celebratory atmosphere at the Nest of Champions.
With their qualification sealed, the focus will be on delivering a strong performance to reward the fans who are expected to turn out in large numbers for the 5:00 p.m. kickoff.
As anticipation builds, the stage is set for an exciting finale to the Group D qualifiers.
