The Super Eagles were tonight upset 2-1 by 2026 World Cup qualifying rivals Rwanda in a final 2025 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.
It was the first win by Rwanda over Nigeria at full international level.
Despite the disappointing home loss, the Super Eagles won Group D with 11 points from six matches.
Rwanda finished on eight points.
The Super Eagles opened scoring in the 59th minute courtesy of the individual brilliance of substitute Samuel Chukwueze.
He simply raced the heart of the crowded Rwanda defence before he delivered a low shot that beat the goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
However, Rwanda drew level in the 72nd minute, when Jummy Mutsinzi headed home a header beyond goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
The visitors then pulled ahead three minutes later through Innocent Nshuti.
In the 50th minute, a header by Victor Boniface off Moses Simon corner was saved by the outstanding Rwanda goalkeeper, who was Man of the Match when both teams played out a scoreless draw in Kigali in September.
It was a tepid first half with the only clear chance falling to Kelechi Iheanacho, but his left-footed strike was kept out by the Rwanda shot stopper.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Rwanda(4-3-3) Maduka Okoye – Bright Osayi-Samuel, William Ekong (Captain), Gabriel Osho, Bruno Onyemaechi – Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf (Frank Onyeka 46), Fisayo Dele Bashiru (Osimhen 77) – Moses Simon, Victor Boniface (sadiq Umar 88), Kelechi Iheanacho (Samuel Chukwueze 46)
Osimhen suffers injury setback – TheTalk.NGGalatasaray today announced that Victor Osimhen has suffered a muscle injury during Sunday’s Turkish Super Lig clash at Sivasspor. “Victor Osimhen underwent an MRI examination which revealed a moderate strain and bleeding in the right posterior upper muscle group,” the Turkish champions reported. “Treatment for our player has been initiated.” The club further said no ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Calvin Bassey suspended for trip to Premier League toppers LiverpoolSuper Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is suspended for Saturday’s Premier League clash at table toppers Liverpool after he picked up his fifth booking of the season. An accumulation of five bookings attracts a one match ban in the Premier League. Bassey was booked for the fifth time in the 72nd minute in Sunday’s 1-1 home ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ NFF under scrutiny again after allegations of financial mismanagement and corruptionThe Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also known as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), has once again found itself embroiled in a web of financial recklessness, scandals, and misappropriation of government funds. The recent revelation of the mismanagement of a substantial sum of money meant to settle backlogs of bonuses, allowances, and salaries for national teams ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Maduka Okoye injured, undergoes surgerySuper Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will undergo surgery for an injured wrist, his Italian club have announced. Okoye was injured during a game against Genoa and his club Udinese said he will now be operated on. This means the goalkeeper will miss today’s clash at Monza. It is not yet known how long he will ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ EXCLUSIVE: Why Eguavoen may miss 2025 CHAN playoffsSCORENigeria can exclusively reveal that Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen is now in serious danger of missing out on the 2025 CHAN playoffs against arch-rivals Ghana. ‘Cerezo’ has been conspicuously missing at the Ikenne training camp of the CHAN Eagles preparatory to the final playoff against the Galaxies of Ghana. Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ 
