Nigeria’s Super Eagles rounded off their Group D AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
Fortunately, the outcome of the game was inconsequential as the Super Eagles had already secured qualification for next year’s tournament.
The Coach Austine Eguavoen-led side, with 11 points, topped the group, while Benin Republic finished second with eight points.
In this piece, Completesports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI highlights some positive and negative outcomes from the Super Eagles’ defeat to the Amavubi.
Chukwueze’s Redemption
After facing criticism for unimpressive performances for the Super Eagles, Samuel Chukwueze silenced his doubters with a superb display against Rwanda.
Coming on at the start of the second half, Chukwueze was like a man on a mission, constantly tormenting the opposition’s backline. His efforts paid off when he received a pass in midfield, breezed past three markers, and slotted past the goalkeeper.
Though the Eagles lost, Chukwueze’s performance will delight fans, especially as focus now shifts to the World Cup qualifiers.
Okoye’s Comeback
After two years away from the team, it was refreshing to see Maduka Okoye back in goal for the Super Eagles.
Despite conceding two goals due to poor defending, Okoye looked calm and composed.
While Stanley Nwabali may currently be the team’s reliable first-choice goalkeeper, Okoye’s performance showed he still has much to offer.
Simon’s Crossing Impact
Known for his trickery, pace, and dribbling, Moses Simon has added another impressive facet to his game: delivering delightful crosses.
The Nantes star provided three assists during the qualifiers, with two coming from well-executed crosses. Against Benin, he set up Ademola Lookman’s header and Victor Osimhen’s equaliser.
Read Also: Ajibade, Nnadozie Nominated For CAF Women’s Player Of The Year Award
Against Rwanda, Simon delivered several good balls, including a corner for Victor Boniface, though it was not converted.
This development highlights Simon’s evolution into a more complete winger, benefiting the team.
Osho’s Steady Growth
After debuting in the 1-1 draw against Benin Republic, Gabriel Osho retained his place in the starting line-up against Rwanda.
While not a five-star performance, the Auxerre defender was solid in both games.
The experience will help Osho improve, and credit must be given to the coaching staff for boosting his confidence with back-to-back starts.
Worrisome performance from the Super Eagles
Though qualification was already secured, the Super Eagles’ overall display against Rwanda was uninspiring.
The team delivered one of their poorest performances, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
With the Eagles set to face Rwanda again in Kigali, the Amavubi will take confidence from their one win and one draw against Nigeria.
Midfield lacked everything
Coach Austine Eguavoen’s decision to try a new midfield trio—Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf—backfired.
The three players failed to control the game, prompting substitutions at half-time and later in the match.
While it was an inconsequential game, the performance highlighted the need for more effective midfield options.
Boniface’s Struggles Continue
Victor Boniface remains a divisive figure among fans. Despite his prolific scoring for Bayer Leverkusen, he has struggled to replicate that form for the Super Eagles.
Against Rwanda, Boniface failed to impress and was eventually substituted.
With patience running thin, Boniface must improve quickly to justify his continued inclusion in the squad.
Iheanacho’s Underwhelming Display
Kelechi Iheanacho also disappointed against Rwanda.
Starting on the right of the attack, the Sevilla forward produced little of note aside from one shot on target. Unsurprisingly, he was replaced at half-time.
Iheanacho’s lacklustre display further undermines his chances of being trusted in key games when the team is at full strength.
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6 Comments
CS Osho and Okoye has no business in this team. What happened to the integration of Ben fredicks of Brentford??? This country called Nigeria rarely gives opportunities to distinguished youngsters to evolve. After all the noise about Osho he’s just nothing to write home about, and Ekong move to Saudi has made him a shadow of himself during set pieces he’s nothing to write home about and we conceded due to his cluelessness in this two easy matches against minnows. Eguavoen must be honest to himself if he must succeed!!!
THAT IS THE REASON WHY IAM BLAMING EQUAVEON FOR STILL KEEPING INVITING INCONSISTENT, IRRELEVANT, IRREGULAR, BENCH WARMER PLAYERS INTO THE SUPER EAGLE TEAM.
SOMETIMES, IT IS NOT UNTIL YOU USE PLAYER FOR TEN MATCHES BEFORE YOU KNOW THAT HE HAVE QUALITIES TO OFFER THE TEAM.
** IN TUNISIA 94 AFCON, AMUNEKE ONLY PLAY FINAL, AND THE WHOLE NIGERIA KNOW THAT HE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER TO THE TEAM IN FUTURE MATCHES, WHICH HE EVEN BENCHED EXPERIENCE PLAYER( IKPEBA) IN THE TEAM.
** LIKEWISE ALSO, AMOKACHI DIDN’T SCORE A SINGLE GOAL IN TUNISIA ’94 AFCON, BUT NIGERIANS ARE 100% SATISFIED WITH HIS QUALITY OF PLAY HE ALWAYS OFFERED TO THE TEAM ON THE FIELD OF PLAY, WHICH MAKE SOME FANS LIKE HIM MORE THAN YEKINI.
** MORE ALSO, PLAYERS LIKE BABANGIDA, FINIDI, UDEZE, OBODO, KANU, UTAKA DIDN’T USE TO SCORE GOALS MOST TIMES, BUT OFFER QUALITIES ON THE FIELD OF PLAY WHILE PLAYING.
#### We need new players that can challenge IWOBI, BONIFACE, NDIDI, AJAYI, SADIQ, MUSA, IF possible send them out of the super eagle. Just like Nwabali sent out IZOHO of the team.
IN THE OLDEN DAYS, NEW PLAYERS ALWAYS GRAB THEIR CHANCES WHENEVER THE COACH GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AND RELEVANT FOR FUTURE GAMES DESPITE ARRAY OF BEST PLAYERS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME.
** FOR EXAMPLE;
1. Amuneke grab his chances in 1994
2. OKOCHA, OLISEH grab their chance
in 1993
3. AGHAHOWA….in AFCON 2000
4. UDEZE … in qualifier against
Zambia in year 2000.
5. ENYEAMA… in 2002 world cup
OTHER PLAYERS are: OSAZE, UTAKA, YOBO, MARTINS, I.K UCHE, AYILA, ABBEY GEORGE,MUSA, IKEME, TROOST-EKONG, CHUKWUEZE, NWABALI.
LET TRY MORE NEW PLAYERS THAT ARE READY TO DIE ON THE PITCH AND FORGET ABOUT EXPERIENCE, EGO, SENIORITY IN SELECTING PLAYER.
MAJA, ORBAN, AKINWUMI, DESSERS, SEBASTIAN-OSIGWE, EBUEHI AKPOM should be given chance once again.
*** NFF SHOULD EMPLOY GOOD STANDARD FOREIGN COACH(that know African football & players) FOR HIM TO BE INVITING BEST PLAYERS AT THE MOMENT WITHOUT SENTIMENT. AND WE SHOULD STOP CELEBRATING FLUKE WINNING!!!!!!!!
A concise analysis is what i called this piece. Meanwhile, I think it is time for Eguaveon and his wards to rest for a while since the qualifiers are coming next year. They have done well so far after all, football is a about winning, drawing or losing.
National team football for a nation like Nigeria that was once 5th in FIFA rankings 20 years ago, IS NOT ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING. Are we on the level of San Marino that we will be losing to African opposition 90 places below us?
What if we now play the giants? Besides, HOW MANY INTERNATIONAL MATCHES DO OUR NATIONAL TEAMS PLAY EVERY YEAR, compared to club football with multiple competitions that we will still be contemplating losing a match AT HOME? Do we play up to 12 matches barring AFCON competitions?
Why will Nigeria have ONLY ONE WIN in the last 4 matches and expect to qualify for world cup that they need to win all remaining 6 matches next year and you say we should clap for them for NOT WINNING?
Guy man, call a spade a spade. If CAS throws away our CAF-inspired 3 points and order a replay (which already makes us have 8 points with Benin and Rwanda – head to head, Rwanda got four points against us) and we lose in the replay (because we forbid away wins), Rwanda will qualify ahead of us.
Where it even gets more interesting:
Head to head, we are above Benin. But what if Libya thrashes us (can now bet on that for current Eagles)? Libya will also have 8 points and better head to head record against us.
And the four teams will have 8 points.
So, the so-called group win and dead rubber unseriousness is very dangerous for us already.
Play all matches with seriousness like Morocco and Senegal did, we said no. Our hope depends very much on CAS now.
Benjamin Fredrick and Vince Osuji are two younger CB that could resolve this issue but the NFF and the coaches are blinded with names, big club players, so called experienced prayers that have reached their peak and aged,playing few good ones out of positions to suit others. Beaten by countries with players without names nor big clubs. For years, we are still moving in the same circle. Removing and replacing coaches always, appointing wrong coaches,Younger players are not allowed in the team,players playing lower clubs regularly are not called on who are ready to fight. Youth team players are promoted. Even ladan Bosso team player at the last age group world cup are more coordinated and played as a team than our so called big boys.
The likes of Samson Tijani can solve DM issue, Tosin Kehinde can be the next 10, Kparobo Arierhi is better than some of the SK we have. Sodiq Isiyaka is also a better winger. Favour Izuogu is a better set piece players, Simon Cletus is also a better ball distributor but they will never be called on.
I I really think Tosin Adarabioyo is good for Super Eagles he is playing his way into that Chelsea starting line-up
I don’t undertsand NFF mostly they feel comfortable to show intense persistence going for Dual National players plying their trade in mid-level teams in Big – 5 leagues. However when they see a player in Chelsea or Arsnenal or any big team. is like they concede that those players will chose the European country they have dual nationality with automatically. I don’t get this thinking Push for the Best NFF push for the best.
Tosin when he plays for Chelsea is really solid and will greatly improve our defence with Ekong
anyway Wishful Thinking we are run by a mediocre bunch