It is 14 days to the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series in Africa. Group C leaders, Rwanda will be hoping to consolidate as they host Nigeria who on the other hand are hoping to rebuild their tattered campaign.
In their last encounter last November, Rwanda inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Nigeria in Uyo, the first time since both teams first met 20 years ago in 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Significantly, both teams since November have experienced managerial changes, opting for African coaches other than their nationals.
While Nigeria opted for Mali’s Eric Chelle, Rwanda at the weekend announced the 56-year-old, Algerian, Adel Amrouche as a replacement for Germany’s Frank Torsten Spittler whose contract was not renewed last December.
But the Algerian had once rejected handling Rwanda. Eleven years ago, Amrouche, who, like Nigeria’s Chelle Holds dual nationality as he is also a Belgian, posted on his Facebook page that he was not interested in handling the Amavubi of Rwanda.
“It’s not true that I am interested in the Amavubi job. I am happy with the current job of coaching the Kenyan national team, but I wish success to whoever gets the job. I believe in Rwanda, they have a coach in Rayon, who can take Amavubi to another level. Give coach Eymael the chance,” Amrouche said in his face book post.
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