2 months ago
23 The Super Eagles of Nigeria played out a hard fought 0-0 draw with Rwanda, in their second Group D game of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Kigali on Tuesday, Completesports.com reports.
After two games played the Eagles temporarily top the group on four points while Rwanda are second on two points having recorded their second draw.
Interim coach Austin Eguavoen made just one change in his starting 11 with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru coming in for Alex Iwobi.
Up next for the Eagles in the AFCON qualifiers is a home game against Libya on matchday 3 in Uyo scheduled for October 6, while the reverse fixture is billed for October 14.
Bruno Onyeamachi had the first big chance in the 3rd minute but failed to get a clean strike on Ademola Lookman’s cutback.
In the 5th minute Wilfred Ndidi hit a low shot just outside the box from a laid pass from Victor Boniface but his effort was well saved by the goalkeeper.
A minute later Bonheur Mogisha was left unmarked inside the box but saw his header from a cross go just over the bar.
In the 13th minute Calvin Bassey made a timely block to stop a goal-bound shot from a Rwandan player.
Ademola Lookman went close on 15 minutes after driving into the opponent’s box but was denied by the goalkeeper who rushed out of his line to deny him.
On 22 minutes Lookman thought he had opened the scoring as he headed in a headed cross from Semi Ajayi but his effort was disallowed for a foul.
Moments later Boniface almost opened the scoring but was denied as his strike from a cross was blocked away for a corner kick.
In the 37th minute Boniface saw his left foot strike hit the cross bar while Lookman’s header from the rebound was cleared away.
With five minutes left in the first half Onyemaechi headed a cross but his effort went just wide.
On the stroke of half time a Rwanda player sent in a dangerous cross inside the Eagles box but Stanley Nwabali calmly claimed the ball in the air.
Before the start of the second half the Eagles made double substitutions with Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon replacing Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze.
Simon almost opened the scoring on 55 minutes after he was played through on goal but the keee came out to block his effort for a corner.
In the 68th minute the Rwandans went close after good interchange of play but the final effort went wide.
With 10 minutes left a long ball from a Rwanda player was well claimed in the air by Nwabali.
In the 84th minute Ola Aina drove into the Rwanda area but his attempted cross was blocked away to safety.
Few minutes later Aina went on a solo run but saw his shot punched away, seconds later Lookman attempted volley was also saved by the keeper.
At the other end Nwabali was called to action and made a good save.
Osimhen almost won it for the Eagles in stoppage time as he rose to meet a cross but the keeper made a good save.
By James Agberebi
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