In an unexpected turn of events, the Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Despite the loss, Nigeria had already secured their place in the 2025 AFCON, and the result does not affect their qualification, though it left fans disappointed.
A Strong Start for Nigeria
Nigeria dominated possession from the start, holding 57% of the ball, while Rwanda had 42%. The Super Eagles were the more aggressive team, pushing forward to break the deadlock early in the game.
In the 59th minute, Samuel Chukwueze delivered a brilliant goal, driving through the middle of the Rwandan defense and coolly finishing past goalkeeper Ntwari Fiacre. The Nigerian fans erupted in celebration, as Chukwueze’s goal looked set to secure another win for the Super Eagles.
Rwanda Fights Back
Despite Nigeria’s early dominance, Rwanda was not ready to give up easily. In the 72nd minute, Mutsinzi Ange leveled the scores for Rwanda. The goal came from a comfortable position, with no Nigerian defender closing him down as he slotted the ball past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
Just three minutes later, Rwanda found themselves in the lead when Nshuti Innocent capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the go-ahead goal, making it 2-1. The Super Eagles, who had looked strong earlier, seemed to lose their rhythm, struggling to create clear chances in the remaining time.
Nigeria’s Defensive Woes
The defensive lapses were costly for Nigeria, as they allowed Rwanda to score two goals in quick succession. Despite several attempts to push forward, including a late shot by Chukwueze in the 90+5th minute that was saved by the goalkeeper, Nigeria couldn’t find the equalizer.
Frank Onyeka also had a few chances blocked, and Victor Boniface missed an opportunity after a good dribble inside the box. The loss was especially frustrating for the Nigerian players, with key figures like Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman missing the match due to club commitments.
Key Players Missing
Several prominent players were absent from the Nigerian lineup, including star right-back Ola Aina and winger Ademola Lookman, who both missed the game to honor club duties. Additionally, Nigeria’s top goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was also unavailable due to personal reasons, leaving Maduka Okoye to take the reins between the posts.
The Road Ahead
While this 2-1 loss is a setback, Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON is already secured, and the team remains one of the favorites for the upcoming continental competition. For Rwanda, the victory was bittersweet. Although the win gave them a chance to qualify, their hopes were dashed as Benin Republic had already secured their place for AFCON 2025.
Final Whistle
As the match concluded, the final whistle came with the scoreline at 2-1 in favor of Rwanda. Nigeria will now look to bounce back and regroup ahead of their future matches in the qualifiers, while Rwanda will reflect on a hard-fought win that ultimately didn’t prove enough to secure their AFCON spot.