In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria’s Super Eagles closed out their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifiers with a shocking 2-1 defeat to Rwanda. The match, which took place on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saw Rwanda pull off a stunning comeback to snatch victory from the group leaders.
Although Nigeria had already secured their place in AFCON 2025 in Morocco, finishing atop Group D with 11 points, the loss was still a sobering experience for the home side.
The first half had ended goalless, with both sides squandering chances to establish an early lead. Nigeria dominated possession for stretches, but they couldn’t translate that into goals.
The Super Eagles started the second half strong, delighting the Uyo crowd when Samuel Chukwueze broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. His goal appeared to set Nigeria on course for another triumph, but Rwanda had other plans.
Rwanda’s equalizer came in the 72nd minute, courtesy of Aimable Mutinzi, who took advantage of a defensive lapse to bring his team level. Just three minutes later, the visitors turned the match on its head. Imanishimwe Nshuti capitalized on Nigeria’s vulnerability and scored the decisive goal, completing Rwanda’s remarkable comeback and stunning the home fans into silence.
Despite the unexpected loss, Nigeria’s AFCON qualification remains secure. The Super Eagles finished at the top of Group D with three wins, two draws, and one defeat, collecting 11 points. Benin and Rwanda both concluded their campaigns with 8 points, but Benin grabbed second place on goal difference, joining Nigeria in the tournament. Meanwhile, Libya finished at the bottom of the group with 5 points, marking the end of their AFCON journey.
While Nigeria will now turn their focus to preparing for the tournament in Morocco, Rwanda’s hard-fought victory will undoubtedly be remembered as a high point in their qualifying campaign. For the Super Eagles, the match serves as a reminder that no opponent should be underestimated, even when the stakes appear low.
