Barely 24 hours to tomorrow’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, the Super Eagles insist that their sole agenda must be realised.

Having failed to beat their host- Rwanda on home soil before, the unfazed team maintain that the time to accomplish that task is now.

According to team captain, William Troost-Ekong: “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. We are certainly not concerned about history books and what has happened before now. Qualification for the FIFA World Cup is our priority.

“We are certainly not concerned about history books and what has happened before now. Qualification for the FIFA World Cup is our priority,” Troost-Eking said.

The three-time African champions are yet to achieve victory over Rwanda in that country, going back to 20 years ago, when a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match ended 1-1 at the Amahoro Stadium.

In 2011, a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo, in the outskirts of Kigali, ended scoreless. In September last year, another 0-0 draw was the outcome of a 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the Amahoro.

All 23 invited players were at the Eagles’ Radisson Blu nest on Tuesday night, meaning everyone was involved in the second training yesterday, and in the official training session at the Amahoro Stadium, yesterday evening.

Nigeria’s goal-banger, Victor Osimhen, was among the early arrivals while celebrating becoming the new leading scorer in the Turkish Superlig with 20 goals after a hat-trick on Saturday. The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup top-scorer now has 23 goals for Nigeria in 47 matches.

There are also reigning Africa Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar and new invitee, Tolu Arokodare to make life difficult for the Amavubi rearguard.

World football-governing body, FIFA, has appointed Moroccan referee, Jalal Jayed, who turns 38 two days after the match, to take charge of the game that will kick off by 6.00 p.m. Rwandan time (5.00 p.m. Nigerian time).

https://guardian.ng/sport/football/troost-ekong-in-rwanda-seagles-are-interested-in-three-points-not-history-books/