Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered their first defeat of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, losing 1-2 to the Amavubi (Bees) of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday evening in the final match of the series.
Although the Eagles have qualified for Morocco 2025 as Group D winners (with 11 points), the defeat to Rwanda left many fans disappointed as they had expected the three-time AFCON champions to soar past the Bees.
The Nigerian team, which produced an uninspiring display for large parts of the game, scored the opening goal via substitute Samuel Chukwueze (who replaced Kelechi Iheanacho) in the 59th minute.
Rwanda equalized in the 72nd minute when Ange Mutsinzi headed in Jojea Kwizera’s free-kick delivery. The visitors completed the comeback in the 75th minute as Innocent Nshuti finished from a tight angle to silence the home crowd in Uyo.
Despite their valiant effort, Rwanda failed to clinch the second Group D qualification spot for the AFCON 2025 finals, having finished on same points (8) with Benin Republic, but with inferior goal difference.
Benin played a goalless draw with Libya (who finished bottom with 5 points) in their final match on Monday.
