Two Rwandan players, Fitina Omborenga and his younger brother Yunusu Nshimiyimana, have left their team's camp after losing their father on Monday and are doubts for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers later this week, Soccernet.ng reports.
Rwanda welcome three-time African champions Nigeria to Stade Amahoro on Friday for their crucial World Cup Qualifier on Friday, and both teams have started preparations in earnest.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle already announced his squad list last week, while Amavubi coach Adel Amrouche, announced his own 23-man squad last Saturday.
Both countries are currently camped in Kigali ahead of the game, but Rwanda have suffered a big blow. This is as two of their players Fitina Omborenga and his younger brother Yunusu Nshimiyimana have been excused from the camp to mourn their father, who died on Monday.
Omoborenga was in the starting lineup when the Amavubi beat Nigeria in the final game of the AFCON Qualifiers, and his status for the game against Nigeria on Friday is unconfirmed. However, he could still make it back in time for the game, considering how big the game is.
Can Rwanda beat Nigeria?
Nigeria have a better team than the Amavubi on paper, but the Super Eagles have often flattered to deceive – case in point- when the Amavubi won in Uyo last time out. In the World Cup Qualifiers, four points separate them, as Nigeria have three points from their first four games, while Rwanda have seven.
Nonetheless, the new Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, seems to mean business and could switch things up this time. But the Amavubi have a new coach in Amrouche, and he could produce some magic from the sidelines.
The Stade Amahoro is always filled to the brim whenever teams come visiting. But Nigeria have the players to steal a win there and get their campaign back on track.
