Afrigather 
Nigeria fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Rwanda of their closing sport of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying marketing campaign on the Gidswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Soccernet.ng stories.
Samuel Chukwueze opened the scoring for the Tremendous Eagles however Rwanda grabbed two objectives in three minutes to assert their first-ever win over the three-time AFCON winners.
The way it occurred
First half
It was a dead-rubber sport for Nigeria because the Tremendous Eagles had already certified for the AFCON.
Subsequently, coach Augustine Eguavoen made seven modifications to the Tremendous Eagles lineup that drew 1-1 with Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday with a number of key gamers dropping to the bench.
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Wilfred Ndidi have been among the many gamers who made manner for the likes of Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Vibrant Osayi-Samuel and Raphael Onyedikachi.
And what adopted was a gap interval that noticed the Tremendous Eagles battle to impose their dominance over the guests.
Whereas Alhassan Yusuf seemed energetic within the early levels, Nigeria’s greatest likelihood of the half fell to Kelechi Iheanacho however Rwanda’s goalkeeper made a positive cease to disclaim the Sevilla ahead.
The house crew was left pissed off because the referee introduced the half to an finish.
Second half
Coach Eguavoen was clearly not impressed with the Eagles’ show within the first 45 minutes and in response Samuel Chukwueze was despatched on rather than Iheanacho at first of the second interval.
Two minutes in and Nigeria got here near taking the lead however Boniface’s header from a Simon nook was neatly saved by the Rwandan goalie.
The Tremendous Eagles lastly broke the impasse in wonderful trend across the hour mark courtesy of an excellent particular person effort from tremendous sub Chukwueze.
The AC Milan winger went on a positive mazy run, dribbling previous three defenders earlier than slamming the ball into the web.
It was Chukwueze’s sixth aim for Nigeria and his first since a 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in October 2023.
Nonetheless, Nigeria’s lead lasted solely 12 minutes as Rwanda equalised with an emphatic Mutsinzi header because the Tremendous Eagles’ defence went to sleep.
The crew was nonetheless loud night breathing three minutes later when the Amavubis accomplished their gorgeous comeback. A swift counter left the Tremendous Eagles open and Nshuti utilized the of entirety to a wonderful cross from the left flank.
The introduction of Victor Osimhen and Umar Sadiq did not encourage any constructive response for the Tremendous Eagles as the previous African champions ended the qualifying marketing campaign on a bitter observe.
What subsequent?
Regardless of Rwanda’s win, the Wasps did not qualify for Morocco 2025 as Benin Republic joined Nigeria on the occasion to the AFCON following their goalless attract Libya.
Nigeria and Rwanda will sq. up once more in Kigali in March subsequent yr within the World Cup qualifying collection.
