Head Coach of Rwanda, Adel Amrouche, has expressed disappointment over his team’s 1–0 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday.
The defeat left Rwanda with 8 points in Group C, while Nigeria climbed to third position with 10 points, setting up a crucial away clash against table-toppers South Africa, who sit on 16 points, on Tuesday.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Amrouche admitted he was unhappy with the result, acknowledging that his team failed to apply enough pressure on the Nigerian side.
“When we lose, we are not happy. I am not happy because the Super Eagles defeated my team,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, the coach singled out his goalkeeper, Ntwari Fiacre, for praise after the shot-stopper made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline narrow.
Amrouche insisted that Rwanda had arrived in Uyo with a plan to frustrate Nigeria and seize their chances but fell short in execution.
“Yes, we came with a plan to defeat Nigeria. We held our opponent, and we have statistics for each player during the game. Sometimes you don’t force a goal, but you can score with a mistake. We have learnt from this game, and that will help my team stay more focused next time,” he explained.
The Rwandan coach also described Nigeria’s coach, Finidi George, as a “good coach,” noting that the Super Eagles were fortunate to capitalize on an opportunity in an otherwise tight encounter.
Rwanda had hoped to shock Nigeria on their home turf but struggled to convert their few openings. Their resolute goalkeeper, Fiacre, prevented the Super Eagles from extending the lead, ensuring the visitors left Uyo with their pride intact despite the loss.
The Super Eagles now turn their focus to the high-stakes clash against South Africa, a game that could define their qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
