'There will be some changes' - Rwanda caption reckons Afconq result won't impact Wcq with Super Eagles

Rwanda captain Djihad Bizimana has played down the significance of today's result with the Super Eagles in the final group game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers having an impact when both sides meet in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next year.

The Wasps are in a disadvantageous position heading into today's game, as they sit two points adrift of Benin, who occupy the second qualification spot, with Nigeria securing the first spot as winners of Group D.

The East African side last played at AFCON in 2004, which is their only appearance in the competition, and will have to beat Nigeria and hope Libya defeat Benin to secure qualification for the next edition of the competition.

Conversely, Torsten Spittler's side are in a good position to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in the country's history, as they sit joint-top of Group C of the qualifiers with seven points, four more than Nigeria, who have three points.

The Wasps will clash with the Super Eagles in the next matchday of the World Cup qualifiers at the Amahoro Stadium, prompting the notion that today's result could have a telling effect in the upcoming fixture.

Bizimana has played down the possibility of the outcome of today's tie affecting the future meeting with the three-time African champions due to squad instability.

“I don't know because now we are focused on the AFCON and when it is a national team, there are always some changes," Bizimana told reporters at Sunday's pre-match press conference. 

"You don't know if the same players who are playing tomorrow will play in the nex four months or five months. 

"So for me now, the most important now is to focus on the game of tomorrow and the rest we will see."

Austin Eguavoen could ring some changes for this evening's fixture with qualification already secured, lending more credence to Bizimana's statement.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com