AFCONq: Rwanda pull an upset in Nigeria

With the stakes high for the Amavubi and pride on the line for Nigeria, fans from both countries expect a thrilling encounter in Uyo, in the last game of the AFCON group phase qualifiers in Group D. And excitement they got all right. Nothing looked exciting in a lullaby which lasted for almost an hour and then three quick goals changed everything. The end was not what the home team expected: Nigeria – Rwanda 1-2. The Super Eagles embarrassed themselves in front of their home ground, and even though they already booked their place in Marocco in 2025, this was not the result they expected.

They were without key players like Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, but if there is a team in Africa with enough depth, especially in attack, it’s Nigeria and they still scored only one goal against a team which allowed six so far. It was Milan’s Chukwueze who gave the Super Eagles the lead, as both Boniface and Osimhen (who came in the 77th minute) didn’t do anything. But Rwanda, who needed a win in Nigeria in order to qualify for AFCON (depending on Benin result) was resilient and with two quick goals managed a great victory. Unfortunately for them, Benin finished the home game with Lybia undefeated and qualified due to a better goal difference.

First half was not worth even commenting. Nigeria was sub-par and hadn’t even created a proper chance until the end of the half. There was a half-opportunity for Boniface in the 24th minute, but he couldn’t convert on a Simon Moses’ cross. The only shot on target was the product of Iheanacho, who took a strong shot from close range in the 45th minute, but keeper Ntwari saved his goal. Sevilla striker was subbed at halftime and Chelsea’s Samuel Chukwueze and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka came in and proved their worth. It was Onyeka, currently in Augsburg on loan, who assisted Chukwueze, who had a wonderful solo action which ended in a great goal in the 59th minute. At that point, it looked like everything was over. But Rwanda never gave up and in the space of just three minutes totally turned the game over and scored two goals (72nd and 75th minute). Unfortunately for the Amavubi, Benin remained undefeated at home to Lybia and kept the second spot, which led them to AFCON 2025.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - QUALIFIERS

Round 6

Monday

Malawi - Burkina Faso 3-0 (1-0)

/Mhango 28, Mbulu 57, Aaron 62/

Ghana - Niger 1-2 (0-1)

/Afriyie 67 - Badamassi 22, Sako 90+2/

Libya - Benin 0-0

Nigeria - Rwanda 1-2 (0-0)

/Chukwueze 59 - Mutsinzi 72, Nshuti 75/

Sudan - Angola 0-0

22:00: (4.10) Central African Republic (3.35) Gabon (1.85)

22:00: (2.35) Comores (3.10) Madagascar (3.30)

22:00: (1.05) Morocco (12.0) Lesotho (22.0)

22:00: (1.45) Tunisia (4.20) Gambia (8.00)

Tuesday

16:00: (1.60) Cameroon (3.60) Zimbabwe (6.75)

16:00: (2.30) Kenya (3.10) Namibia (3.40)

18:00: (1.30) Egypt (5.20) Botswana (11.0)

18:00: (2.45) Mauritania (3.10) Cape Verde (3.15)

19:00: (2.90) Congo (3.05) Uganda (2.65)

19:00: (1.25) DR Congo (5.40) Ethiopia (15.0)

19:00: (2.20) Guinea B. (3.30) Mozambique (3.40)

19:00: (1.07) Ivory Coast (12.0) Chad (28.0)

19:00: (1.22) Mali (6.00) Eswatini (14.0)

19:00: (1.25) South Africa (5.40) South Sudan (15.0)

19:00: (3.45) Sierra Leone (3.15) Zambia (2.25)

19:00: (2.95) Tanzania (3.00) Guinea (2.65)

22:00: (1.18) Senegal (7.00) Burundi (16.0)

***odds are subject to change***