Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers came to an end in Uyo on Monday, as Rwanda fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 in a fixture that meant nothing for the already-qualified Super Eagles but everything for the Amavubi’s own hopes of a positive send-off from the campaign.
Softfootball gathered that Samuel Chukwueze gave the hosts a 59th-minute lead with a brilliant solo goal, running from the halfway line and beating three defenders before finishing past the Rwanda goalkeeper.
Rwanda responded with two quick strikes; Ange Mutsinzi’s header in the 72nd minute from a well-delivered set piece, followed by Innocent Nshuti’s finish three minutes later, to complete the turnaround and hand Nigeria their first-ever defeat to Rwanda in the sides’ history.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made wholesale changes to his starting lineup for the dead-rubber fixture, with several fringe players given a chance to impress.
Elsewhere in the group, Benin Republic’s goalless draw with Libya was enough to book their place at the 2025 AFCON finals as runners-up in Group D, behind Nigeria on points but ahead of Rwanda on goal difference.
