The 12th man: Rwandan FA devise strategy to drag fans to fill Amahoro stadium for Nigeria match

The Rwandan football association have booked music artistes to perform at Stade Amahoro, the venue for their match against Nigeria in a bid to get more fans to attend the game, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will square off against the Amavubi on Friday as both teams fight for supremacy in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Super Eagles currently sit fifth with three points after four game, while the Amavubi are at the summit with seven points after four games.

The Super Eagles need to redeem and get themselves back on track after their poor start to the qualifiers. And they have to start now.

Unfortunately for them, they will not be able to do it at home in Nigerian. Instead, it will be at the 45,000-capacity Stade Amahoro in Rwanda.

Rwanda has managed to build this beautiful Amahoro stadium ️ which can accommodate more than 45,000 thousand spectators.

Dear fellow Africans, Africa can do better as others ✊#RwandaWorks pic.twitter.com/eg1UGmlUwZ

— IMITAMENWA (@IMITAMENWA200PK) March 20, 2025

For sure, it will not be an easy task because the Amavubi have the home advantage. Meanwhile, the Rwandan football association are making moves to ensure that the Amahoro is filled to the brim.

They have announced that two Rwandan artistes Riderman and DJ Toxxyk will be at the stadium to serenade the fans on Friday. They will likely perform just before the game.

Nta rungu

Ibisumizi n’Abakunzi ba Riderman ntimuzabure cyangwa ngo mukererwe.#RWANGA #WCQ2026#TweseInyumaYAmavubi

pic.twitter.com/xqKZ6kIIdC

— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 19, 2025

#RWANIG#WCQ2026#TweseInyumaYAmavubi

⁦@djtoxxyk⁩ will perform

pic.twitter.com/KWQu8tBLgf

— Rwanda FA (@FERWAFA) March 19, 2025

These are two of the biggest artistes in Rwanda, and their presence would surely attract many fans to the Amahoro Stadium.

The 12th man could be crucial for Rwanda

Football fans are usually called the 12th man, as their support usually gives their team an extra boost and puts their opponents at a disadvantage.

The game is of high importance to Rwanda considering their position in the qualifiers. And since they don't have the quality players that Nigeria has, the Amavubi want to bank on their extra man.

The Amavubi fans already have a lot of belief in the team due to their place on the standings, and with two of their biggest artistes set to perform, they now have an extra motivation to attend the game.

Nigeria's Super Eagles should prepare for a mammoth crowd on Friday, as at least 40,000 Amavubi fans will turn up for the game.