Rwanda scored two quick second-half goals to claim a shock 2-1 win over Nigeria in their last 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.
The Super Eagles took the lead in the 59th minute through a fine solo goal from Samuel Chukwueze.
But the visitors hit back with two quick goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti.
What are the four things we learnt from the game?
1. Unbeaten run ends: The 2-1 defeat to Rwanda is the first game the Super Eagles will lose under interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen. And it comes in what would be his last game in charge. The 59-year-old made several changes to his starting XI and it was a very tepid performance.
2. Iheanacho, Boniface futures in doubt: Eguavoen gave Victor Boniface 89 minutes to impress and get his first Nigeria goal. But the Bayer Leverkusen forward seemed unsuited for the team and its style of play, barely threatening inside the box. Kelechi Iheanacho was again picked to start from the left and had to be taken off for goalscorer Samuel Chukwueze.
3. Absentees missed: The spine of this current Eagles team was sorely missed today. Osimhen only played 10 minutes of the game. Alex Iwobi did not get off the bench, as the midfield struggled to find a foothold in the game. Ademola Lookman is not even in the country as he has travelled back to Italy, like Ola Aina.
4. Rwanda falls short: Despite their historic win over Nigeria, Rwanda will not be at the 2025 AFCON. The Amavubi finished with eight points, level with Benin Republic who drew 0-0 with Libya in their game. However, it is Gernot Rohr’s men who got the second spot on a head-to-head basis because they beat Rwanda 3-0.
AFCON 2025 qualifier: 4 things we learnt as Super Eagles suffer shock 2-1 defeat to Rwanda
