Having sealed their Africa Cup of Nations   involvement, Nigeria  host Rwanda in Monday’s final qualifying game at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, aiming to end their campaign positively.

Despite sealing the top spot,Augustine Eguavoen’s   men have had mixed performances in Group D, and they hope to avoid a shock result against a nation with everything to play for.

While  Victor Osimhen’s late 81st-minute goal salvaged a draw against Benin, Nigeria’s performance for much of the match was lacklustre and unconvincing.

Eguavoen’s side looked vulnerable defensively in wide areas and struggled from set-pieces against the Cheetahs, falling behind to Mohamed Tijani’s   16th-minute goal and fortunate to avoid conceding another before their No. 9 levelled proceedings.

The changed qualification format since AFCON’s expansion meant Nigeria were unlikely to suffer a humiliating campaign, with fans keen to see improved performances and results.

That has barely materialised under the current regime, as evidenced by the Super Eagles still seemingly playing in first gear despite sealing participation in next year’s finals in Morocco.

Eguavoen’s men have notched consecutive home victories against Benin (3-0) and Libya (1-0) in Uyo without conceding and aim to go three for three when Rwanda visit on Monday.

Their visitors missed a trick last time out in the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Libya, thus failing to capitalise on the Super Eagles playing out a 1-1 draw with Benin.

The Wasps enter the final round of qualifying two points shy of second-placed Benin and one clear of Libya in fourth.

While a surfeit of qualification scenarios exist, none will be in play unless Torsten Spittler’s   men notch a win in Uyo.

That outcome will be a surprise given the Wasps’ nine-year winless run in qualifying since a 1-0 success away to Mozambique in June 2015.

Since that triumph, seven stalemates and six defeats have followed, including a six-match draw sequence until last month’s 3-0 reverse against Benin.

An extension of that wait for road success ends Rwanda’s wait for a second Cup of Nations appearance and a first since 2004.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com