Nigeria vs Benin: Rwanda coach sets World Cup target for the Super Eagles

Rwanda head coach Adel Amrouche suggested that qualification for the World Cup should be a given for any Super Eagles manager, stating that reaching the quarter-final of the competition should be the minimum goal. 

The Amavubi are currently fourth in Group C. Their World Cup ambitions ended when they were beaten by the Benin Republic in Kigali on Friday, but they still have some control over Nigeria’s destiny. 

In a conversation with Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, the Algerian tactician expressed sadness over the defeat to the Benin Republic. A win in that game would have put them in a similar position with Nigeria going into the last game, needing a win against a team higher up on the table. 

“I am still gutted that we lost to Benin in the final minutes of our game in Kigali,” he said. 

“I really wanted to surprise the world and get Rwanda to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But this is football, and we must get ready for our game against South Africa.” 

While Rwanda are out of contention, Nigeria still need them to get a result against South Africa while also beating the Benin Republic—1-0, or a scoreline with a margin of two goals, should Benin score—to qualify for the Mundial. 

However, Amrouche does not think the Super Eagles should have found themselves in this situation at all. He believes Nigeria are stacked with quality good enough to reach at least the quarter final of the competition. 

“If I were coaching a team like Nigeria, with the quality of players that they have, my target would be to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, at the very minimum. Qualifying for the World Cup should not be the issue.” 

Nigeria will square up against the Benin Republic at the same time Rwanda will face Bafana Bafana at 5pm, Tuesday, October 14.