By
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong insists his team have to concentrate on the game against Rwanda before thinking about the blockbuster clash against South Africa.
The Super Eagles are currently sitting in fourth place in Group C after picking up seven points from six matches ahead of their home game against Rwanda on Saturday, which is must-win encounter.
Nigeria then travel to Bloemfontein to take on group leaders South Africa on Tuesday with only one team guaranteed of a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Troost-Ekong said: "You take one step at a time. We have Rwanda to play on Saturday, and there are three points there.
"After that is concluded, then we begin to think of South Africa. There are three points also in there when we play in Bloemfontein, but that is a few days after Rwanda. Rwanda comes first.
"We will do our very best to go all out and win the remaining four matches. Hopefully, that will be good enough to take us there."
Rwanda, meanwhile, are second in the group and are dreaming of their own maiden qualification for the global tournament.
"For me, losing is not an option, that's what I told the players," Rwanda Football Association president Fabrice Shema said.
"The atmosphere (in the squad) is good and the coach (Adel Amrouche) told me that the players seem happy with the new manager, because they already know him from football."
16_181x188.webp "hugo-broos-(pa-images)16.webp")
