Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers came to an unexpected end as they fell 2-1 to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Monday, November 18. Despite the loss, the Super Eagles secured top spot in Group D and qualified for the tournament, but the defeat highlighted vulnerabilities in their game.
Augustine Eguavoen’s side looked set for a routine win when Samuel Chukwueze broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with an impressive solo effort, slicing through Rwanda’s defense and slotting past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. It was a moment of brilliance in a match that had otherwise been marked by Nigeria’s struggle to impose their usual attacking dominance.
The Super Eagles entered the match buoyed by a 1-1 draw against Benin four days earlier but faced an opponent hungry to keep their slim qualification hopes alive. The first half was largely underwhelming for the hosts, who appeared static and uninspired without the ball. Their best chance of the half came in the final minute when Kelechi Iheanacho’s quick turn and shot forced Ntwari into a sharp save after Moses Simon’s precise cross.
Nigeria showed flashes of control at the start of the second half, with Victor Boniface’s powerful header from a corner being parried by Ntwari. William Troost-Ekong’s attempt at a follow-up header went over the bar, signaling missed opportunities that would later haunt the Super Eagles.
Chukwueze’s goal seemed to put Nigeria in command, but Rwanda’s response was swift and decisive. Ange Mutsinzi leveled the score in the 72nd minute, nodding in a free-kick at the back post and catching the home defense flat-footed. Before the Super Eagles could recover, Innocent Nshuti stunned the crowd by slipping the ball between Maduka Okoye’s legs from an angle just three minutes later, capitalizing on a deflected cross.
Desperate to salvage a point, Nigeria pressed forward, and Frank Onyeka found himself with two late chances to equalize. However, he was denied first by substitute goalkeeper Clement Buhake, who saved a long-range effort, and then by his own inaccuracy, as he blasted a first-time volley over the bar in the closing moments.
Despite the disappointing defeat, Nigeria’s earlier performances in the qualifiers secured them the top spot in Group D, finishing three points ahead of Benin, who held Libya to a goalless draw in their concurrent match.
