Nigeria Suffers Upsetting 2-1 Defeat to Rwanda in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers
Uyo, Akwa Ibom – Nigeria faced an unexpected setback in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifiers on Monday, falling to Rwanda in a dramatic 2-1 loss at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Despite the surprising result, the Super Eagles had already secured their spot in the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, finishing at the top of the group with 11 points.
The match saw Samuel Chukwueze give Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home supporters. However, Rwanda quickly turned the game on its head when Aimable Mutinzi scored the equalizer in the 72nd minute. Just three minutes later, Imanishimwe Nshuti took advantage of a defensive error, completing the remarkable comeback and securing the victory for the visitors.
The first half ended without any goals, as both teams struggled to convert their opportunities. Nigeria showcased a strong performance at the start of the second half but failed to maintain dominance, allowing Rwanda to exploit weaknesses in their defense. Nshuti, who received a yellow card for time-wasting, was a standout player in the match.
While the defeat was a disappointment for Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles finished the group stage with an impressive record of three wins, two draws, and one loss. Benin also qualified for the tournament, finishing second in the group with eight points, edging out Rwanda on goal difference.
Libya ended their qualifiers at the bottom of the table with just five points.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are now focused on their preparations for the continental tournament in Morocco, where they aim to reclaim the AFCON title.
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