2025 AFCON Qualifier: Rwanda Stuns Nigeria with 2-1 Comeback in Final AFCON Qualifier

In a stunning turn of events, Rwanda's national football team defeated Nigeria's Super Eagles 2-1 in the AFCON Qualifiers match held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo yesterday. Despite this impressive victory, Rwanda's overall performance in the qualifiers wasn't enough to secure a spot in the tournament.

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The match saw Rwanda's Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti score crucial goals in the 72nd and 75th minutes, respectively, while Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze scored in the 59th minute. Rwanda's win was a significant upset, with Nigeria being one of the top-ranked teams in Africa.

The final group standings are as follows:

- Group Leader: Nigeria (11 points)

- Runner-up: Benin (8 points)

- Third Place: Rwanda (8 points)

- Fourth Place: Libya (5 points)

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Rwanda's win over Nigeria was a historic moment for the team, but it came too little, too late. Despite their impressive performance, they failed to qualify for the AFCON tournament due to their inconsistent results throughout the qualifiers.

Nigeria's Resilience

Under the guidance of Coach Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria showed resilience and determination, securing the top spot in their group with 11 points. Eguavoen's tactical adjustments and player selections paid off, as the Super Eagles demonstrated their strength and depth.

"We didn't underestimate Rwanda, but we didn't expect them to come at us with such intensity," Eguavoen said in the post-match conference. "We'll review our performance and make necessary adjustments for the next stage of the tournament."

Rwanda's failure to qualify for the AFCON tournament raises questions about the team's future. Despite showing promise, they struggled to maintain consistency throughout the qualifiers. Coach Vincent Mashami will need to regroup and reassess his strategy for future tournaments.

For Nigeria, the focus shifts to the next stage of the tournament. Eguavoen will need to fine-tune his team's strategy to overcome tougher opponents. With talented players like Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, Nigeria has a strong chance of making a deep run in the tournament.

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Rwanda's shocking win over Nigeria serves as a reminder that football is full of surprises. While Rwanda's failure to qualify is disappointing, their performance against Nigeria shows promise for future tournaments. Nigeria, meanwhile, will look to build on their group-stage success under Eguavoen's leadership.