The Rwandan national football team, Amavubi, made history on Monday by defeating Nigeria for the first time. However, despite this victory, they failed to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Morocco. This was due to a draw between Libya and Benin, which ended Rwanda’s chances of qualifying.
Match Details
The game was played at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, with Nigeria fielding a strong starting lineup:
Okoye, Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Osho, Onyemaechi, Onyeka, Iheanacho, Yusuf, Simon, Bashiru, and Boniface.
The starting eleven for Amavubi included:
Ntwali Fiacre, Imanishimwe Emmanuel, Manzi Thierry, Mutsinzi Ange, Fitina Omborenga, Mugisha Bonheur, Bizimana Djihad, Ruboneka Bosco, Gilbert Mugisha, Innocent Nshuti, and Olivier Dushimimana.
First Half: A Strong Start for Amavubi
Amavubi began the match with confident ball control, but penetrating Nigeria’s penalty area proved challenging.
- At the 10th minute, Nigeria had their first real chance when Bruno Onyemaechi got a shot opportunity in the penalty box. However, Rwanda’s Mutsinzi Ange cleared the ball for a corner.
- Rwanda responded with a chance of their own when Ruboneka Jean Bosco delivered a cross intended for Nshuti Innocent, but Troost-Ekong intervened to prevent a goal.
- Just before halftime, Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho unleashed a powerful shot, but Ntwali Fiacre made a crucial save.
Second Half: Goals and Drama
The second half saw both teams intensify their efforts:
- Nigeria made substitutions, bringing on Frank Onyeka and Samuel Chukwueze, who injected new energy into the game.
- At the 59th minute, Samuel Chukwueze scored the opening goal with a stunning solo run and shot, putting Nigeria ahead.
Rwanda responded with tactical changes, bringing on Samuel Gueulette, Buhake Clement, and Kwizera Jojea. These changes paid off:
- At the 72nd minute, Mutsinzi Ange equalized with a header from Kwizera Jojea’s cross.
- Three minutes later, Rwanda stunned Nigeria with a second goal when Imanishimwe Emmanuel made a brilliant run and passed to Nshuti Innocent, who struck the ball into the net.
Heartbreak Despite Victory
The match ended with Rwanda defeating Nigeria 2-1. However, qualification depended on the outcome of the Libya vs. Benin match, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Rwanda needed Libya to win, but the result sealed Amavubi’s fate.
Group D Standings
- Nigeria: 11 points (Qualified)
- Benin: 8 points (Qualified, better goal difference)
- Rwanda: 8 points (Eliminated, -2 goal difference)
- Libya: 4 points
A Historic Yet Bittersweet Moment
This victory over Nigeria marks a significant milestone for Rwandan football, showcasing the team’s potential and resilience. However, missing out on AFCON qualification serves as a reminder of the fine margins in international competitions. Amavubi fans can take pride in the team’s performance and look forward to building on this momentum in future campaigns.
