Stephen Constantine Warns Nigeria: Rwanda Is No Easy Opponent
Mar 16, 2025
Rwanda’s national team prepares for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
Stephen Constantine, who coached Rwanda’s national football team between 2014 and 2015, has reminded Nigeria that Rwanda is a rising force in football. Despite being a small country, Rwanda has produced many talented players.
With just a few days left before Rwanda faces Nigeria in the fifth match of Group C in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, anticipation is high. The tournament will be hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and Rwanda hopes to qualify for the first time. Meanwhile, Nigeria, having played in six World Cups, missed out on the last one.
Speaking to DW, Constantine emphasized that Rwanda’s size does not reflect its football potential.
He stated,
"The size of a country or a small population does not determine how far it can go. Rwanda understands this very well. I think people underestimate the level of talent in Rwanda—there is a lot of it."
"In many places, the government does not get involved in sports, but in Rwanda, sports have been prioritized in a way that surprises many."
Defeating Nigeria at Stade Amahoro on March 21, 2025, would be a huge milestone for Rwanda, proving that dreams can indeed become reality.
Rwanda is currently ranked 124th in the FIFA rankings, while Nigeria stands at 80th. The last time they met in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Rwanda won 2-1.
As of now, Rwanda leads Group C with seven points, followed closely by South Africa and Benin, who share the same points. Lesotho is fourth with five points, Nigeria is fifth with three, and Zimbabwe sits at the bottom with two.
