The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Countries (AFCON) qualifying match.
The game, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, marked a historic 2nd for Rwanda, who claimed their first-ever victory over Nigeria.
The first half of: A battle for maintain watch over
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen made a number of adjustments to his beginning lineup, opting for a original formation after the 1-1 plan towards Benin Republic earlier in the week. Key gamers admire Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Wilfred Ndidi had been overlooked, making procedure for recent faces equivalent to Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Gleaming Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedikachi.
Despite these adjustments, the Super Eagles struggled to obtain their rhythm in the main half of. Rwanda’s Alhassan Yusuf perceived to be all over the gap, causing problems for Nigeria’s defense. The Super Eagles’ most efficient likelihood came from Kelechi Iheanacho, however his shot turn into expertly saved by Rwanda’s goalkeeper.
The first Forty five minutes resulted in frustration for the hosts, with the crowd expecting a leap forward that by no manner came.
The Second Half of: A rapid 2nd of hope
Coach Eguavoen replied to his team’s lackluster efficiency by making a substitution before the total lot of the 2nd half of, bringing on Samuel Chukwueze for Iheanacho. Good two minutes into the 2nd half of, Nigeria came shut to taking the lead when Boniface’s header from a Moses Simon nook turn into saved by the Rwandan keeper.
Nonetheless, it turn into Chukwueze who would at final break the deadlock. Around the 60-minute label, the AC Milan winger took matters into his luxuriate in fingers. Chukwueze danced previous three defenders with a wise dribble and smashed the ball into the on-line, giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead.
It turn into a 2nd of magic from Chukwueze, who scored his sixth world purpose and his first since Nigeria’s 6-0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe in October 2023.
Rwanda’s gorgeous comeback
Nigeria’s lead, nonetheless, turn into rapid-lived. Good 12 minutes later, Rwanda equalized with a extremely effective header from Mutsinzi, as Nigeria’s defense failed to address a properly-positioned spoiled. The Super Eagles had been nonetheless reeling from the equalizer when, in the seventy fifth minute, Rwanda carried out their comeback.
A swift counterattack caught the Nigerian defense off-guard. Nshuti, the Rwandan striker, made a properly-timed bustle and carried out off a ultimate spoiled from the left flank, giving Rwanda a 2-1 lead.
The Super Eagles made adjustments, bringing on Victor Osimhen and Umar Sadiq in a whisper to obtain an equalizer. However no topic their efforts, Nigeria would possibly well per chance now not reply, and the match resulted in a animated 2-1 loss for the three-time AFCON champions.
What you would possibly well per chance simply nonetheless know
While Rwanda favorite their historic fetch, it wasn’t enough to stable a pickle in the 2025 AFCON, as they carried out in the support of Nigeria and Benin Republic in the qualifying group. Benin Republic, who drew 0-0 with Libya, joined Nigeria in securing qualification for the tournament in Morocco subsequent year.
For Nigeria, this defeat marks a bitter cease to their qualifying advertising and marketing campaign. The Super Eagles will now shift their focal level to the World Cup qualifiers, the put aside they’ll meet Rwanda over again in Kigali in March 2025.
