Nathaniel Mobolade, Jos.
The Wasps of Rwanda held the Super Eagles of Nigeria to a goalless draw at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
The match was a Match Day 2 of the 2025 AFCON qualifies, played in the presence of the Rwandan President Paul Kigame.
The Eagles had the grip of the game after the initial threats by the Rwandans in the opening minutes of the match,thereafter, hit the crossbar by Victor Boniface from a Lookman pass.
A few minutes later Ademola Lookman had a shot saved by Rwandan keeper Nkwari.Thereafter, Lookman had a goal disallowed from a throw-in by Ola Aina which many believed was a legitimate goal that was an error of cancellation from the center referee.
The first half ended goalless as the 2nd half began with Chukwueze and Boniface going off for Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen respectively to add more bites to the Eagles attack.
The defence of the Amavudi and the keeper stood between the visitors from Nigeria as Ademola Lookman was denied a goal when latched on to a Wilfred Ndidi long range pass. The Rwandans too did not sit back but attacked the Nigerian defence which at a point in the 68th min, Quisera missed a begging chance from a diagonal pass.
Score still at even, the Nigerian bench pulled off Wilfred Ndidi and Dele Bashiru for Frank Onyeka & Ralph Onyedika in the 69th min to shore up the attack and keep the Amavudi’s at bay.
It was a plethora of saved shots from the Wasp keeper as he fended off shots from Lookman, Ola Aina & Osimhen. However, in the 87th min it was the turn of Nwabali in goal to be rattled from a long range shot from Rwandans Kushiga but was saved.
The match was one that had the two teams playing to get a win but it was not to be as the referee blew the final whistle after the 5 minutes added time.
Speaking to ssimedia247.com.ng after the match, some fans Mr Sunday Igbita applauded the play of the Eagles as he thumbs up Interim Coach Augustine Eguaveon on the work he has done on the team and commended his man management that has worked wonders in creating a cordial relationships between the players.
“I have to commend Coach Augustine Eguaveon for the great work he has done on the team who earlier under George Finidi finds it hard to gell in winning matches.Also, he has brought in a cordial relationships between the players which is good for the team going forward”
Again, a female fan, Kachollom Pam, praised the team work of the Eagles and confident of picking the tickets for the AFCON and the World Cup if the present coaching crew is retained.
He said “the Eagles seem to be flying now, though not at a high altitude but can do so if the present coaching crew is allowed to continue. It’s time we forget about foreign coaches for the development of our own coaches”.
The Eagles too the group now with 4points from 2 matches as Benin defeated Libya 2-1to take the maximum three points.The Super Eagles leads the group with 4 points.
Next for the Super Eagles is a double header against Libya the 11th & 15th October.
