Group leaders Nigeria and their final opponents, Rwanda, have both arrived at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo in preparation for the Matchday 6 showdown on Monday, which marks the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
While the Amavubi are feeling disheartened, they still retain a slim mathematical chance of qualification, although the odds are not in their favor. Their chances took a hit after a disappointing home loss to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday. To secure a spot in Morocco 2025, they must defeat Nigeria in Uyo and hope that Libya triumphs over Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday.
The Super Eagles, having already secured their position as group winners, are focused solely on national pride and are expected to approach the match against Rwanda with a more relaxed attitude compared to their recent tense encounter with the Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday night.
Nigeria’s team traveled from Abidjan to Uyo on a chartered ValueJet flight, arriving at 3:50 PM.
Rwanda’s delegation made their journey from Kigali to Lagos on a regular Rwandair flight, landing at 1 PM, before transferring to an Ibom Air flight to Uyo, where they arrived just before 5 PM.
Uyo’s impressive Godswill Akpabio Stadium will serve as the backdrop for an anticipated celebration, as the Super Eagles are expected to revel for 90 minutes and beyond, having secured their AFCON qualification.
In their initial encounter in Kigali last September, both teams ended in a goalless stalemate, although there remains some debate regarding Ademola Lookman’s first-half header, which was controversially disallowed by the Moroccan referee.
Interestingly, another Moroccan referee will officiate the match on Monday. Samir Guezzaz, a 44-year-old, will take charge of the game, which is set to commence at 5 PM.
Guezzaz will be joined by his fellow countrymen Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2), and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official), all of whom are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, along with Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).
