Rwanda ended Nigeria’s Super Eagles unbeaten streak in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers after coming from behind to record a 2-1 win in their final Group D game in Uyo on Monday.
While the game was an inconsequential fixture for the Super Eagles, Rwanda needed to win and hope Benin lost away to Libya.
After an uninspiring first half performance the Eagles took the lead through substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
But two goals in three minutes from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti handed Rwanda a first-ever win against the Eagles.
The game saw coach Austin Eguavoen make several changes as Bright Osayi-Samuel, Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Victor Boniface, were named in the starting line-up.
Also, Maduka Okoye made a return in goal for the Eagles for the first time in two years.
Dele-Bashiru with the Eagles first chance in the 2nd minute but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked.
In the 21st minute a Rwanda player beat his marker from the left but his cross into the box was well dealt with by Okoye.
Simon broke into the opponent’s box in the 39th minute but his attempted cross was intercepted.
On the stroke of halftime Kelechi Iheanacho had the Eagles first shot on target as he brought down Simon’s cross but saw his goal bound shot stopped by Rwanda keeper.
Before the start of the second half the Eagles made two changes with Frank Onyeka and Samuel Chukwueze replacing Yusuf and Iheanacho.
The Eagles almost took the lead four minutes into the second half but Victor Boniface header from a Simon’s corner was punched away by the Rwanda keeper.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 59th minute thanks to Chukwueze who netted a superb solo goal.
After receiving the ball in the centre circle, Chukwueze ran towards Rwanda goal area, beat three players before shooting past the keeper.
Rwanda was forced to make a change as their first choice keeper went off injured in the 69th minute.
Ange Mutsinzi made it 1-1 in the 72nd minute after heading in a well delivered set piece which left Okoye stranded.
Innocent Nshuti then gave Rwanda the lead on 75 minutes as he slotted past Okoye off a cross.
Chukwueze had a chance to equalise on 87 minutes but failed to properly control Simon’s cross.
In stoppage time Onyedika tried a long range strike from outside the box which the Rwandan keeper held well.
Meanwhile, the group other game saw Benin Republic hold Libya to a goalless draw which was enough to land them the ticket to next year’s AFCON in Morocco.
After the final round of the qualifiers, the Eagles topped the group on 11 points and Benin Republic finished second on eights.
Rwanda was third also on eight points but missed out to Benin on goals difference while Libya finished bottom on five points.
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In een verrassende wending van gebeurtenissen heeft Rwanda de ongeslagen reeks van de Super Eagles beëindigd tijdens de kwalificatiewedstrijden voor de AFCON 2025. De Rwandese ploeg wist met 2-1 te winnen van Nigeria, waardoor ze zichzelf een plekje in het prestigieuze toernooi wisten te verzekeren.
De Super Eagles stonden bekend om hun sterke prestaties in de kwalificatiewedstrijden en werden gezien als een van de favorieten om zich te kwalificeren voor de AFCON 2025. Echter, Rwanda wist iedereen te verrassen door met een sterke en georganiseerde speelstijl de Nigeriaanse ploeg te verslaan.
De overwinning van Rwanda zorgde niet alleen voor een grote verrassing, maar betekende ook dat Benin zich automatisch kwalificeerde voor de AFCON 2025. Benin had eerder gelijkgespeeld tegen Nigeria en had gehoopt op een gunstige uitkomst in de wedstrijd tussen Rwanda en Nigeria. Dankzij de overwinning van Rwanda wist Benin zich dus te kwalificeren voor het toernooi.
De prestatie van Rwanda en Benin toont aan dat er altijd ruimte is voor verrassingen in het voetbal. De AFCON 2025 belooft dan ook een spannend toernooi te worden met diverse verrassende teams die zich hebben weten te kwalificeren. We kijken uit naar wat deze teams kunnen bereiken tijdens het toernooi en welke nieuwe talenten zich zullen laten zien op het Afrikaanse voetbalpodium.
