Super Eagles Aim for Victory in Crucial AFCON Qualifier Against Rwanda

As the Super Eagles prepare for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda, Coach Augustine Eguavoen is confident that his squad is riding a wave of momentum.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Eguavoen stated, “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in the camp is excellent. Everyone is eager for us to pick up the three points in Rwanda and stay firmly on top of the qualifying table.”

The Nigerian team made an impressive start to their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. Now, they aim to solidify their position with another win.

“We are here for business, and I am happy that everyone is on the same page,” the coach added, noting that the team arrived in Rwanda early enough to rest and prepare for official training.

Leading the Super Eagles, team captain William Ekong emphasized the importance of securing all three points. “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,” he said.

Acknowledging Rwanda’s strength, Ekong added, “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.”

The Nigerian delegation, led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, arrived in Kigali on Sunday, along with 23 players, officials, and key stakeholders. The match is set to kick off at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigeria time), as the Super Eagles aim to continue their unbeaten streak in the AFCON qualifiers.

Rwanda’s Amavubi will pose a challenge, having forced a 1-1 draw against Libya in their opening match. However, with their current momentum, the Super Eagles are determined to secure another victory and maintain their lead in the group.

Paris Paralympic Games: Team Nigeria wins first gold

Onyinyechi Mark, on Friday, won the first gold medal for Nigeria in the ongoing 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Mark set a new world record in the Women’s 61kg para-powerlifting category by lifting 150 kg to win gold for Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mark broke her record twice during the competition.

She earlier lifted 145kg, 146kg, 147kg, before she finally lifted 150kg to set the new Paralympic games and world record which won gold for Nigeria.

China’s Jianjin Ciu took the silver medal with a 140kg lift, while Mexico’s Amalia Vazquez Perez claimed the bronze.

Team Nigeria now has three medals.

Eniola Bolaji won a bronze medal in para-badminton in the Women SL3, while Esther Nworgu won silver in the 41kg.

Team Nigeria is still expected to win more medals in powerlifting and para-table tennis.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, had promised Team Nigeria in their camp in Germany that gold medalists would be rewarded with 15,000 dollars.

Enoh said silver medalists will get 10,000 dollars while bronze winners will go home with 5,000 dollars.

Team Nigeria’s para-table tennis players had a torrid time on Thursday as they lost their matches in two events of their competition at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pair of Kayode Alabi and Faith Obazuaye lost 1-3 in the mixed doubles XD17 event.

They lost 6-11 11-7 6-11 6-11 to the pair of Joshua Stacey and Bly Twomey from Great Britain in their Round of 32 games.

Also, the Chinese pair of Peng Weinan and Huang Jiaxin beat the Nigerian pair of Alabi and Victor Farinloye 3-0 in the men’s doubles competition.

They won 11-9 11-5 118 in the MD14 event’s round of 16 fixture.

NAN reports that Team Nigeria will now have to hope for honours from the singles events at the competition, following this early exit.