Nigeria set to host Rwanda in a revamped Abuja as Super Eagles eye return to national stadium

Nigeria’s Super Eagles could play their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, as major renovation work is set to begin at the national arena, Footynaija.com reports.

The move would be a significant shift from Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, which has hosted recent qualifiers but is now seen as an unlucky venue following Nigeria’s four-match winless streak there.

Victor Osimhen has now scored 25 goals for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 40 matches. He is officially the 2nd all-time Nigeria’s highest goal scorer. Young legend pic.twitter.com/vStS6C3Qfa

— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) March 21, 2025

Abuja, with its symbolic value and larger capacity, is being considered a psychological and strategic boost for the team ahead of the September 1 clash with Rwanda’s Amavubi.

The potential return to the capital received a major boost from the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, who revealed plans are already underway to refurbish stadiums across the country—starting with the one in Abuja.

“There’s a huge budget to fix the stadiums,” Dikko said as per Sports247. “We want to fix Abuja Stadium in particular, and quickly. I just returned from Europe where I met with top pitch manufacturers. The foundation of a stadium is the grass — if the pitch is good, the rest will follow.”

He added that the plan includes implementing a sustainable maintenance structure by training local groundsmen. “We are hoping that, before September, Abuja Stadium will be ready,” he said, suggesting the venue could also host Nigeria’s final World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on October 13.

Dikko’s statement has lifted hopes among fans, especially after Nigeria’s 1-1 home draw with Zimbabwe in March left them six points behind Group C leaders South Africa, who top the table with 13 points.