World Cup qualifiers: Amuneke, Etim Esin back Super Eagles to beat Rwanda, South Africa

By our reporter 1.9.2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles players Monday started trickling into camp for Saturday’s all important World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda in Uyo Akwa Ibom State and against South Africa in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The Super Eagles need all six points to be serious contenders in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Though the odds look stack against the team coached by Eric Chelle, former Nigerian players like every Nigerian fan of the Super Eagles are hopeful of a good result. South African lead Group C with 13 points, Rwanda and Benin are tied on eight points, Nigeria on seven, Lesotho six points and Zimbabwe are at the bottom with four points.
The final round of qualification games are billed for October with the Super Eagles facing Lesotho away, and Benin at home.
“It’s all about results against Rwanda and South Africa. I hope they can win their games, we are not there yet, but we should have the quality to see us through,” Amuneke told Punch.
“The boys have to know what’s at stake and if they win these games and the other things go their way across the group, we will see where we are.”
Also, former Super Eagles attacking midfielder Etim Esin is not left out of the free flow of optimism.
“We need to take these six points from Rwanda and South Africa.
“We can’t have two African footballers back-to-back in Lookman and Osimhen, and not qualify for the World Cup. This is an opportunity for them to galvanise themselves and ensure they qualify.
“Us missing two straight World Cups will be very bad. I wish them all the best. What we want is results and it is achievable if these guys galvanise themselves.”
Meanwhile William Troost Ekong, Bruno Onyemachi were the first players to arrive camp in Uyo Monday. Others who were being expected are Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Cyriel Dessers and others who made the 23-man list. But coach Chelle expects that by Tuesday when they have their first training, he would have a full house.