Nigeria’s national soccer team, the Super Eagles, were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Rwanda on Tuesday in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.
Coming off a convincing 3-0 victory against Benin Republic, coach Austin Eguavoen’s squad struggled to replicate that form in Kigali. Despite dominating possession, Nigeria failed to convert their chances against a well-organized Rwandan defense.
“We created opportunities but lacked the finishing touch today,” Eguavoen said post-match. “It’s a disappointing result, but we’ll learn from this and improve.”
Ademola Lookman thought he had given Nigeria the lead in the 22nd minute, but his goal was disallowed for offside. Victor Boniface came close to breaking the deadlock in the 36th minute, hitting the upright with a powerful shot.
The match saw moments of tension, with Samuel Chukwueze and Rwanda’s Claude Niyomugabo both receiving yellow cards following a physical altercation.
Eguavoen introduced star striker Victor Osimhen and winger Moses Simon at halftime, hoping to replicate their impact from the Benin match. However, the substitutions failed to provide the desired spark.
Rwanda, ranked significantly lower than Nigeria, defended resolutely and occasionally threatened on the counter-attack, particularly early in the second half.
The result leaves Nigeria with four points from two matches in their AFCON qualifying group. The Super Eagles will look to bounce back in their next qualifier, while Rwanda will be buoyed by their unexpected point against the continental giants.
“We respect Nigeria, but we came with a plan and executed it well,” Rwanda’s coach said. “This point is huge for us and our qualifying campaign.”
The draw highlights the competitive nature of African football, with traditional powerhouses like Nigeria finding it increasingly challenging to secure easy victories in qualifying matches.
