The Super Eagles of Nigeria played out a hard fought goalless draw with Rwanda, in their second Group D game of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon.
After two games played the Super Eagles temporarily top the group on four points while Rwanda are second on two points having recorded their second draw though Benin Republic and Libya will trade tackles on Tuesday evening in Abidjan.
Caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen made just one change in his starting 11 with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru coming in for Alex Iwobi
The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.
Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play.
Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina.
Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front on 68th minutes as the home boys broke forward, but his shot flew away from goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety.
Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time.
Super Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October before hosting Rwanda in November.
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