Rwanda, Nigeria’s opposition for this Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, will arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
In a statement made available to the Press by the NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, an advance official is expected in Lagos on Monday, while the full team will arrive the following day on a RwandAir flight scheduled to land at 1:15pm. From Lagos, the delegation will continue their journey to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, by 4pm that same Tuesday.
It is the first of two important matches for Eric Chelle’s side as they look to bounce back before the final round of matches in October. The Franco-Malian tactician has already called up a strong squad to prosecute the games in this international window.
Chelle, who led the NPFL stars to a disappointing group stage finish at the CHAN, will be keen to see his side return to winning ways, starting with the game against the East African side.
The Matchday 7 encounter has become very crucial to both teams as they are both wide away from group leaders South Africa, who have 13 points (prior to FIFA’s decision on their use of an ineligible player in the win over Lesotho in March this year). Rwanda are second in the pool with eight points, same as Benin Republic, with Nigeria in fourth on seven points. Lesotho have 6 points, with Zimbabwe propping up the table on four points.
The clash at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday arrives exactly five months and a fortnight after the Super Eagles claimed a 2-0 victory over the Amavubi in Kigali during their Matchday 5 meeting. Meanwhile, it also comes nine months after Rwanda came from behind to beat the Super Eagles 2-1 in a 2025 AFCON final-day qualification match at the same Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
After the clash in Uyo, the Amavubi will have a date with bottom-placed Zimbabwe on Matchday 8, while the Super Eagles will fly to Bloemfontein to face group leaders South Africa in a must-win game.
