Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Rwanda’s Amavubi in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match on Monday. The loss ended Nigeria’s qualifying campaign on a disappointing note, despite having already secured their spot in the tournament prior to the game.
Going into the match, the Super Eagles were heavily favored and expected to cruise to victory in front of their home fans in Uyo. However, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen opted to rest several key players, including striker Victor Osimhen, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and defender Calvin Bassey.
Nigeria took the lead early in the second half through a brilliant solo effort from substitute Samuel Chukwueze. The Villarreal winger danced past three Rwandan defenders before drilling a low shot into the net, sending the sparse crowd into celebration.
Rwanda Strikes Back
The Super Eagles’ joy was short-lived, as Rwanda equalized just minutes later. Defender Ange Mutsinzi rose unchallenged to head home a corner kick, exploiting Nigeria’s recurring vulnerability to set pieces.
We were caught napping on that corner. It’s an area we need to improve on going forward.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong
As Nigeria pushed for a late winner, they were undone by a rapid Rwandan counter-attack. Innocent Nshuti raced clear of the Super Eagles’ backline before calmly slotting past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to seal a famous victory for the visitors.
Missed Opportunity for Osimhen
The loss denied star striker Victor Osimhen the chance to equal or surpass Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on the all-time scoring charts. Osimhen, who came on as a second-half substitute, was unable to add to his tally despite some promising touches.
The defeat also ended coach Eguavoen’s unbeaten run since taking charge of the team. Questions will now be asked about his future, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) potentially revisiting their search for a permanent manager ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Looking Ahead
While the loss to Rwanda does not impact Nigeria’s qualification for AFCON 2025, it does highlight some areas of concern for the three-time African champions:
- Vulnerability to set pieces and crosses into the box
- Lack of cohesion and creativity in the absence of key players
- Questionable squad rotation and game management from the coaching staff
The Super Eagles will need to address these issues if they hope to make a strong showing at AFCON 2025 and qualify for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup. With a wealth of young talent at their disposal, Nigeria has the potential to re-establish itself as a powerhouse of African football.
For now, though, the focus will be on regrouping after the chastening defeat to Rwanda and building momentum ahead of a crucial year for Nigerian football in 2025.
