AfricaNews

Nigeria’s Shocking AFCON Defeat Marks End of Disappointing Campaign

In a shocking turn of events that sent ripples through the African football community, Nigeria’s Super Eagles fell 2-1 to Rwanda at home in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The disappointing result, coming on the heels of an underwhelming draw against Benin, has cast a pall over the team’s recent resurgence and raised uncomfortable questions about the way forward.

Having already booked their ticket to the continental showpiece in Morocco, the Super Eagles were widely expected to close out the campaign in style against the visiting Rwandans. Instead, a lackluster, disjointed display saw them concede twice in response to Samuel Chukwueze’s opener, consigning them to a first competitive home defeat in over five years.

Makeshift Lineup Backfires

With little more than pride to play for, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen rang the changes, handing starts to a number of fringe players. The absence of first-team mainstays such as Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi was keenly felt, as the Super Eagles struggled for cohesion and creativity throughout.

While the circumstances may have been mitigating, the manner of the performance left much to be desired. Even accounting for the missing personnel, a team of Nigeria’s pedigree and depth should have had more than enough to see off a limited Rwanda side. That they failed to do so raises worrying questions about the squad’s mentality and application.

Ongoing Defensive Frailties

Of particular concern was the ease with which Rwanda carved open the Nigerian rearguard for both their goals. Ange Mutsinzi was criminally unmarked as he headed home the equalizer, while the defense was caught napping for Innocent Nsengiyumva’s rapid counter-attacking winner.

This continues a worrying trend of vulnerability from set-pieces and quick transitions that has plagued the Super Eagles in recent outings. For a team that prides itself on defensive solidity, shipping soft goals with such regularity is simply unacceptable. Addressing this fragility will surely be high on the incoming coach’s to-do list.

Uncertainty Over Coaching Situation

Eguavoen himself conceded that the result had taken the shine off his recent record and given his critics fresh ammunition. Having stepped into the breach following Gernot Rohr’s exit, the former international defender had quietly gone about restoring stability and direction to the side.

Two poor results at the end of a hitherto encouraging run have now left his future very much up in the air. With the Nigerian Federation known to be assessing their options ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Eguavoen will know he has his work cut out to convince them he is the man to lead the team forward for the long haul.

Opportunity Missed for Osimhen

In a subplot to the main tale of woe, Star striker Victor Osimhen missed the chance to etch his name into the Super Eagles’ record books. Going into the game, the Napoli hitman stood just one goal behind legendary forwards Rashidi Yekini and Segun Odegbami in the all-time scoring charts.

With Odegbami watching on from the stands, Osimhen would have dearly loved to mark the occasion by claiming second spot outright. As it was, even his second-half introduction failed to spark the Super Eagles into life, leaving his date with destiny to wait for another day.

Silver Linings Hard to Find

In the final reckoning, it is hard to draw many positives from Nigeria’s insipid display. While qualification was already assured, this was an opportunity to build momentum, blood youngsters and galvanize the fan base ahead of more testing challenges to come. By any estimation, it was an opportunity missed.

As the Super Eagles lick their wounds, serious reflection and a ruthless examination of the various shortcomings that led to this humbling defeat are needed. Only by acknowledging and addressing these harsh realities can they hope to mount a credible challenge when AFCON 2025 rolls around and secure a return to the World Cup in 2026. The road ahead is long and arduous – on this evidence, Nigeria have much ground to make up.