The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a goalless draw by the Wasps of Rwanda in the Matchday two of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali on Tuesday, September 10.
Following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Benin Republic on Saturday, Nigeria’s interim head coach Austine Eguavoen made just one change to the starting lineup he deployed at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replaced Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, as the Super Eagles retained a 3-5-2 formation in pursuit of their first victory in Rwanda.
Rwanda started strongly in the opening ten minutes, but Nigeria’s attacking momentum gradually built up, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface leading the charge. Boniface was intially denied from close range before Lookman headed in from a throw-in in the 21st minute. However, the goal was controversially disallowed for an apparent foul by Semi Ajayi.
Boniface had another chance to break the deadlock, but the striker’s decent effort could only hit the bar after he outwitted a Rwandan defender at the edge of the box.
While Rwanda enjoyed decent possession, they struggled to create clear-cut chances, as the first half ended goalless.
Eguavoen made early second-half substitutions, replacing Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze with Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses. The changes sparked more direct attacking play, with Moses and Lookman switching wings and Osimhen causing problems for the Rwandan defense.
Despite subsequent substitutions and attempts for a breakthrough, Nigeria couldn’t find the back of the net, with Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari pulling off key saves to secure a back-to-back draw for the East African side.
Nigeria remains at the top of Group D with four points after two matches, while Rwanda is second with two points, ahead of the other Matchday Two fixture between Libya and Benin Republic.
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