Rwanda grab first-ever win over Nigeria in lacklustre AFCON qualifier

The Amavubi of Rwanda defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 in the final game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. 

The Rwandans snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after coming back from a goal down to upset the Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday.

The loss was the Super Eagles’ only loss in the qualification campaign, and the team was disappointing and lacked cohesion for most of the game.

Nigeria had qualified for the competition, and Austin Eguavoen, the Eagles interim coach, made seven changes to the team, starting the 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic in the previous game.

Victor Osimhen was benched for Victor Boniface, while Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi were also dropped from the team, with Moses Simon and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as replacements.

Maduka Okoye started in goal in place of Stanley Nwabali, who was excluded from the squad following his father’s death.

The multitude of changes did little to rejig the Eagles, who struggled to make an impact for most of the first half. The only legitimate scoring opportunity came at the end of the half after a cross from Moses Simon found Kelechi Iheanacho in the Rwandan goal area. The Sevilla attacker brightened the ball down, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper, who gathered the ball.

At the start of the second half, Eguavoen brought on Samuel Chukwueze and Frank Onyeka for Iheanacho and Alhassan Yusuf.

Shortly, Chukwueze produced the first spark of brilliance in the lacklustre game. The AC Milan winger collected the ball from the middle of the pitch and proceeded on a solo run. He sailed past three Rwandan defenders before spanking the ball into the net.

But Nigeria’s joy was short-lived as Rwanda replied with two goals within three minutes.

The Super Eagles lost to the Rwandans for the first-ever after six attempts.