Eagles Draw with Rwanda in AFCON 2025 Qualifier Match

Rwanda held Nigeria’s Super Eagles to a painful 0-0 stalemate in the second match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Despite being dominant for the majority of the game, the Eagles were unable to break through because the Rwandan defence stayed disciplined.

With a 3-0 convincing victory against Benin Republic on Saturday, expectations were high for the Nigerians to preserve their perfect record in the qualifiers.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the last game, replacing Alex Iwobi with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the starting lineup and starting Victor Osimhen from the bench, as he did against Benin.

Nigeria seized control of the game early on, as expected, with superstar Ademola Lookman torturing the Amavubi defense. He thought he had given the Eagles the lead in the 22nd minute, but the referee deemed the effort offside. A choice that many Nigerian fans disagree with.

The canceled goal came after Victor Boniface rattled the post and the Eagles failed to convert the rebound.

Following the deadlock in the first half, Eguavoen made changes in the second, bringing in Osimhen and Moses Simon, who combined to score Nigeria’s second goal against Benin.

However, the Amavubi, emboldened by the presence of President Paul Kagame, remained resolute in defence, ensuring that no goal entered their net.

Even as Nigeria continued to apply pressure until the end of the game, nothing came of it.
Despite losing two points, the Super Eagles stay top of the group with four points, followed by Rwanda with two.

Nigeria will be hoping to win again when they play Libya in their next match in October.