Interim Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen has declared that the team will strive for all six points in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The 2023 AFCON runners-up host the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday and are away to Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali three days later.
“Our objective is clear: to pick the six points in both matches. The players know this, and are committed to accomplishing this,” Eguavoen said.
“The matches will not be easy; no qualifying game can be taken for granted because all the teams want to play in the finals. However, we have spoken to the players and all of us are on the same page.
“Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, nobody is mentioning anything about revenge. Our goal is three points, and then we aim for another three points in Kigali on Tuesday that will put us in good stead for qualification.”
Eguavoen has been working with an almost full squad for the matches, with only Victor Osimhen being expected after the striker was allowed to sort out his loan deal from Napoli to Galatasaray.
AFCON’s Player of the Tournament William Ekong missed the ties against South Africa and Benin Republic as he was recovering from injury, but is back at the heart of the defence to lead the three-time African champions.
Reigning African Player of the Year Osimhen missed the two games in June, as defender Ola Aina and star forward Moses Simon due to injury. Osimhen just signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray and will be keen to impress his new employers, while banishing talks of his rustiness.
Eguavoen is most likely to start goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, with Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ekong and Bassey in defence, and any three of Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika in midfield.
Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman are the forwards available to Eguavoen.
