Only a win and three points will be satisfactory for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against hosts Rwanda on Friday, according to team captain William Troost-Ekong.
Rwanda currently top Group C with seven points, while Nigeria are in fifth position with three points from four matches.
“Actually, we read about that in some places but we are not bothered. I was part of the last game in Kigali which ended scoreless, but we know that we cannot afford a draw this time. Our objective is to pick the three points and bring some life back into our campaign,” Ekong said about the match that will be played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
“We are certainly not concerned about history books and what has happened before now. Qualification for the FIFA World Cup is our priority,” Ekong added.
Both teams played a goalless draw in a 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the Amahoro Stadium in September last year.
The three-time African champions are yet to achieve victory over Rwanda away, going back to 20 years ago, when a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match ended 1-1 at the Amahoro Stadium.
Also, in 2011, an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo, in the outskirts of Kigali, ended scoreless.
