'World-class squad with quality players' - Rwanda coach aware of talented players in Super Eagles squad

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before his side take on Nigeria on matchday two of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Rwanda manager Torsten Frank Spittler has acknowledged that there are talented players in the Super Eagles squad.

Of the twenty-three players called up for the internationals in September 2024, thirteen are on the books of top five European league clubs, namely Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Maduka Okoye, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Super Eagles interim boss Augustine Eguavoen can also call upon the services of the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Most Valuable Player, William Troost-Ekong.

Spittler admitted that the Wasps are facing a difficult opponent but expects his team to rise to the occasion.

Appointed in November 2023, Spittler has an impressive record as Rwanda coach, having led the team to win three of their last seven matches, drawing three and losing one.

In quotes relayed by The New Times, he said: "It is going to be a tough game. We are going to play against a world class squad with quality players. 

"Our training has been good and I am positive we will get something out of the encounter."

He added: "We are in transition; it is a process. What we learn here is different from what they learn at club level. 

"This is our fourth camping and the players are so far improving in everyday’s training".

Tuesday's encounter is the first of four battles between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the next 12 months, with the two teams to clash in November in Nigeria in the final round of this qualifying race, and then do a home-and-away in the 2025 Fifa World Cup race with the Wasps also hosting Nigeria first in March next year.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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