Rwanda Spoil Final Match-day for Already Qualified Super Eagles in Uyo

*Benin Cheetahs sneak into Morocco 2025 on better goals difference than Rwanda

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Two goals in three minutes in the second half gave Rwanda a 2-1 victory over hosts Super Eagles in the final AFCON 2025 qualifying match at the God’swill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday evening.

With nothing at stake for Nigeria as the Super Eagles had topped the Group D standing after pulling a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic on Thursday evening in Abidjan, the three-time African champions really didn’t think the match deserved serious attention and they paid for it with bruised ego!

Coach Augustine Eguavoen allowed three key players Stanley Nwabali, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina to be away from the lineup for one reason or the other.

The game was a tepid first half with the only clear chance falling to Kelechi Iheanacho, but his left-footed strike was kept out by the Rwanda shot stopper, Fiacre Ntwari.

But after a barren first half, Samuel Chukwueze fired Super Eagles into the lead in the 59th minute.

However, the Amavubi refused to give up. They scored two quick goals in the 72nd and 75th minute, to spoil the coronation party for Eguavoen and his wards. Rwanda drew level in the 72nd minute, when Jummy Mutsinzi headed home a header beyond goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. The visitors then pulled ahead three minutes later through Innocent Nshuti.

The 2-1 victory which tied the Rwandese on same 8 points as Benin Republic was not enough to see the men from Paul Kagame country qualify for Morocco 2025.

Despite the disappointing home loss, the Super Eagles won Group D with 11 points from six matches.

Benin who played goalless with Libya in the group’s other match yesterday in Tripoli, picked the runner up ticket of Group D behind Nigeria on better goals difference than Rwanda. With both teams on eight points, Benin sneaked into the tournament having zero goal difference to Rwanda’s -2.

RESULTS

AFCON 2025

Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda

Libya 0-0 Benin Rep

Sudan 0-0 Angola

Malawi 3-0 B’Faso

Ghana 1-2 Niger

CAR 0-1 Gabon

Morocco 7-0 Lesotho

Tunisia 0-1 Gambia

CAF (W)

(Champions League)