The Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to defeat Rwanda in the second game of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign.
Nigeria could not bury their numerous chances as the Rwandans held on for a vital goalless draw at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali on Tuesday.
Fiacre Ntwari was the hero for the home side as the goalkeeper thwarted waves of Nigerian attacks.
Austin Eguavoen, Super Eagles interim coach, opted to bench Victor Osimhen for the second consecutive game of the qualifiers.
The 25-year-old also played a limited role in a 3-0 victory over the Benin Republic, yet he came on to score the second goal of the match.
Only Alex Iwobi was ejected from the starting line-up of the previous game. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replaced the Fulham midfielder as Eguavoen sought to retain the momentum from the first game.
Nigeria dominated from the on set, with Wilfred Ndidi forcing Ntwari to make a save in the fourth minute.
Shortly, the Rwandan goalkeeper made another critical stop after Ademola Lookman glided beyond the defenders. Ntwari was quick off his line to deny the Ballon d’Or nominee what could have been a brilliant goal.
Lookman had the ball in the net in the 21st minute, but the goal was ruled out following an unclear incident in the lead-up. The decision remains one of the most controversial scenes from the game. The referee signalled offside against Semi Ajayi, who teed the ball up for Lookman. The call seems confusing as the sequence of play was from a throw-in by Ola Aina into the net.
Nigeria kept attacking, but the end product was sorely lacking. In the 35th minute, Victor Boniface struck the crossbar, Lookman’s rebound was bereft of the power needed, and the Rwandan defence cleared.
At the beginning of the second half, Osimhen came in for Boniface alongside Moses Simon, who replaced Samuel Chukwueze.
But Ntwari was resolute in his performance and was unbeaten despite the flurry of volleys and headers he faced.
The Super Eagles are still the top of Group D with four points from two games. They face Libya next in a double-header clash on October 6 and 14.
