'When you are a grandfather you'll talk about this match' - Rwanda coach ahead of Super Eagles clash

Speaking at the post-match press conference after his side suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Libya's Mediterranean Knights at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Thursday, Rwanda manager Frank Spittler admitted that the Wasps are condemned to beat the Super Eagles in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Monday, November 18.

Rwanda wasted several scoring opportunities to break the deadlock before Fahd Saad Mohamed hopped off the bench to score the game-winning goal in the 84th minute, a result very few people would have predicted.

The defeat leaves Rwanda's hopes of returning to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2004 hanging by a thread.

With five points after five matches, the Wasps are third in Group D and must defeat Nigeria in Uyo while relying on Libya to beat Benin in Tripoli to keep their Africa Cup of Nations hopes alive.

Frank Spittler acknowledged that the Wasps have a slim chance of beating Nigeria in Uyo, highlighting that the Super Eagles have some world-class players.

The German football tactician urged his players to play a match that will be talked about for generations.

Spittler told reporters: "As long as there's a chance to qualify, we will do everything for it, so for sure we have to win in Nigeria and that's what we are trying.

"The chance to win in Nigeria is not very high, but there's always a chance, and that's what I tell my players.

"Even if I don't know the other result now today, the result is that the match will not count for anything, then it's a big match to play against some of the best players in the world.

"This is what I will tell my players. When you are a grandfather you will talk about this match and it doesn't really matter then if you are qualifying for Afcon or not, but to try your best, and to show good football.

"We showed it in the last match against Nigeria. We can have a good match against them. It's always the question of are you scoring or are you not scoring.

"There are bad days like today and maybe we have a very nice day in four days.”

The Super Eagles are guaranteed to top Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers even if they lose to Rwanda, after coming from behind to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Benin's Cheetahs on Thursday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association

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