The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a 1-2 defeat to Rwanda on Monday in Uyo in their final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The loss, which occurred at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, marked a significant upset for the Nigerian team.
Despite having already secured their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, the defeat at home left a blemish on the Super Eagles’ record.
This was particularly notable as Rwanda had never beaten Nigeria in any competitive tournament before this encounter.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made significant changes to the team, introducing eight new players compared to the side that drew 1-1 with Benin Republic the previous Thursday.
However, the adjustments did not pay off, as the team struggled to find cohesion. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who replaced Stanley Nwabali, delivered a lacklustre performance that contributed to the loss.
After a goalless first half, Samuel Chukwueze put the Eagles ahead in the 59th minute with a well-taken goal, assisted by Frank Onyeka.
The home crowd erupted in celebration, anticipating a comfortable finish for the Super Eagles.
However, Rwanda responded strongly, equalising in the 72nd minute when Ange Mutsinzi converted a pass from Jojea Kwizera.
The atmosphere in the stadium turned tense, and just three minutes later, Rwanda silenced the crowd.
Innocent Nshuti struck from a tight angle, beating Okoye to give Rwanda a shock 2-1 lead. The visitors held on firmly to secure an unexpected victory, marking a historic first win over Nigeria in a competitive fixture.
Despite the qualification for AFCON 2025, this defeat highlighted lingering issues within the team that could pose challenges in future competitions.
Rwanda, on the other hand, celebrated their landmark victory, which will undoubtedly boost their confidence going forward, but the missed out on AFCON.