Lookman reveals Eagles winning formula for Amavubi clash

Reigning African Footballer of The Year, Ademola Lookman, is confident that the Super Eagles’ tight-knit and players’ level will give them the edge over Rwanda when they face off in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Kigali on Friday (today), NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

The Eagles are in a tight fix ahead of the match, needing a win to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico alive.

Ahead of the all-important fixture at the Amahoro Stadium in Rwanda, Lookman feels positive that the three-time Africa champions will triumph.

“The team is looking forward to Friday’s (today) game. We want to work hard and impose ourselves on the game,” Lookman told the team’s media team.

“Rwanda is a good team, we know about their quality but at the end of the day, we have to fight for the win. That’s the most important thing for us.”

“Everybody knows the level of players we have. It’s an incredible group of players and most importantly, everybody’s objective is to win. The group is tight-knit and that’s the winning formula.”

Lookman is among the players in the Eagles squad who are yet to play at the FIFA World Cup.

Interestingly, the Atalanta forward made his debut for Nigeria in March 2022 during the playoffs for the Qatar 2022 World Cup against Ghana – when the Super Eagles’ arch-rivals edged Lookman and his teammates via away goal.

Since his Nigerian debut, Lookman has played 27 times for Nigeria scoring eight goals and providing seven assists.

He was crowned the best player in Africa last December and to be able to continue his remarkable run for the country, the 27-year-old and his teammates must revive the Eagles’ chance of playing at the biggest football tournament in the world, having missed out on the last edition.

After four matches, the 2013 AFCON winners sit in fifth place with just three points, five points behind leaders Benin Republic, who played a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe on Thursday.

A win against Rwanda will go a long way in reviving the team’s hope – as well as results from other matches.

After facing Rwanda on Friday, the Super Eagles will return home for the second game of this window against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.