APR FC vs Nigeria: Eric Chelle leads CHAN Eagles for key Kigali test with Rwandan champions

Nigeria’s home-based national team, the Super Eagles B, will face Rwandan champions APR FC in a high-profile friendly match at Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium on July 29.

The fixture is part of Nigeria’s final preparation plans ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.

Head coach Eric Chelle is overseeing intense preparations at the CHAN Eagles' training camp, with a blend of tactical drills and match simulations.

The team has already recorded two morale-boosting victories against Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) sides without conceding a goal. A test match against Ikorodu City FC is also lined up before the delegation departs for Rwanda.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

After the APR clash in Kigali, the Super Eagles B will move camp to Zanzibar, where they will open their CHAN Group D campaign against strong opponents including Senegal, Sudan, and Congo.

APR FC, the reigning kings of Rwandan football, are no pushovers.

The military-backed side recently dispatched Gasogi United 4-1 in a preseason encounter and will be using the Nigeria match as part of their build-up to the 2025/26 domestic campaign and CAF Champions League duties.

The Kigali giants, who play their home games at the newly renovated Kigali Pelé Stadium, boast an impressive history with 22 Rwandan league titles and three CECAFA Club Cup crowns.

For Nigeria, the match provides a crucial opportunity for Chelle to finalise his 2024 CHAN squad, as 27 players currently jostle for a spot in the final team list.

The focus in training has been on improving attacking sharpness and defensive compactness, a theme likely to dominate proceedings in Kigali.

Nigeria have never won the African Nations Championship, with the Super Eagles B's best outing being a runners-up finish in 2018.