Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong has rated the Rwanda national team high as both teams trade tackles in the 2025 AFCON qualifying Group D tie at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday’s (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria face Rwanda in their second match of the series today after beating Benin Republic 3-0 in Uyo last Saturday, thanks to a brace from 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman and another sublime effort from the reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen.
After their perfect start at home on Saturday, the Super Eagles are seeking a second consecutive win in the series as they hope to take an early advantage in the group, but Troost-Ekong feels it won’t come easy.
“There is nothing much to say other than that we are here for a purpose. Our target is the three points, and we have spoken among ourselves on the imperative of going hard for it from the first blast of the referee’s whistle.
“It is going to be a tough game because Rwanda have a good team and got a point from their first match. We must not relent throughout the 90 minutes.”
Rwanda forced Libya’s Mediterranean Knights to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in their first game of the series last Thursday and have had more days to recover ahead of the clash against Nigeria.
The 3-0 win in Uyo marked Ekong’s return to the team following his heroics at the AFCON, and he has also described their perfect start in the qualifiers as their first step towards returning to the tournament in Morocco next year.
The 31-year-old was the tournament’s MVP at the 2023 edition played earlier this year in Ivory Coast.
Rwanda are also in Nigeria’s group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and both teams are still going to clash in subsequent international windows.
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