Julius OkorieVisiting Amavubi of Rwanda improved their head to head record against Super Eagles on Monday night at the Nest of Champions Uyo after running away with a 2-1 win in the last lap of 2025 AFCON qualifier. Both teams have now met seven times with Rwanda winning two, losing one and pulling draws in four matches. Recall the first leg of the two legged encounter in Kigali ended in a goalless draw.
Eagles were leading by a lone goal following Samuel Chukwueze’s strike in the 59th minute after getting a timely assist from Frank Onyeka, but the party was not to last for long as two quick goals by Rwanda dashed Eagles hopes of carrying the day.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCoach Augustine Eguavoen rested eight players from the starting eleven that drew 1-1 with Benin Republic on Thursday, introduced Samuel Chukwueze and Frank Onyeka at the start of the second half who interestingly justified the inclusion with the 59th minute goal
Two quick goals in within five minutes thanks to Jimmy Mutsinzi in the 72nd minute and Innocent Nshuti in the 75th minute were all Rwanda needed clinch victory, unfortunately the victory could not guarantee ticket to AFCON 2025 as the team finished third on the log behind Benin Republic who picked the second ticket of the group after holding Libya to a goalless draw in Tripoli.
Though both Benin and Rwanda finishes at eight points apiece Cheetahs progress on better goal difference.
Some Nigerians expressed disappointment over the result against Rwanda but took solace that Eagles have already picked a ticket to the 35th AFCON.
READ ALSO :AFCON Qualifier: Eagles Draw Curtain With Rwanda As Benin Walk Tight Rope
Olusegun Olulana @olusegun04 said” I understand there was nothing to play for as we’ve qualified for the afcon coming up in Morocco. But at least you could play a draw with good entertaining football, defeat will certainingly affect our fifa rankings”
jomiloju joshua @JomilojuJoshua had this to say “I don’t care about the result. Throughout this tournament I was more particular about the way we play. Our gameplay is still so terrible wen y’all are really ready to spend on quality coach not all dis grade f foreign coach. Bt good coach that can bring good fball style to d team”
Eagles aware that they performed below par had a response for Nigerians and their fans saying via @NGSuperEagles
“We are disappointed to have ended our great run in the Afcon 2025 qualifiers with a home loss. We will bounce back. Thank you for all your support through the qualifiers and see you in Morocxo. #soarsupereagles”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
