In a night filled with missed opportunities and defensive lapses, the Super Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat against Rwanda in their final AFCON 2025 qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Despite taking the lead through a moment of brilliance from Samuel Chukwueze, the team’s defensive frailties were exposed as Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti turned the tide in favor of the Wasps.

Here’s how the players performed:

Goalkeeper and Defense

Maduka Okoye – 5.7/10
Returning to the starting lineup after two years, Okoye showed glimpses of his potential but failed to command his area during key moments. He could have done better with Rwanda’s second goal, raising doubts about his readiness to reclaim the No. 1 jersey.

William Troost-Ekong – 6/10
The experienced defender showed slight improvement compared to his performance against Benin but struggled to organize the backline. His partnership with Gabriel Osho looked shaky and uncoordinated.

Gabriel Osho – 6/10
Still adapting to the intensity of African football, Osho’s lack of awareness was evident during Rwanda’s two goals. He needs time to build better chemistry with Troost-Ekong.

Bright Osayi-Samuel – 6/10
An average performance from the Fenerbahçe fullback. He struggled defensively, allowing Rwanda to exploit his side for their second goal, and offered little going forward.

Bruno Onyemaechi – 6/10
Onyemaechi failed to link effectively with Moses Simon on the left flank, and his poor delivery in attack left much to be desired.

Midfield

Alhassan Yusuf – 6.8/10
Yusuf was a bright spot in midfield, putting up a tough fight against Rwanda’s players. However, his substitution left the midfield vulnerable, allowing Rwanda to seize control late in the game.

Raphael Onyedika – 6.7/10
The Club Brugge star worked hard in midfield but lacked creativity in the final third.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – 6.5/10
A quiet outing from the Lazio man, who struggled to make meaningful contributions despite his role as a creative outlet.

Frank Onyeka – 6.5/10
Onyeka provided a physical presence in midfield and broke up Rwanda’s play effectively. However, his poor positioning often left gaps for the opposition to exploit.

Attack

Kelechi Iheanacho – 6/10
Iheanacho failed to make an impact yet again, playing out of position on the right wing. His sluggish performance slowed down Nigeria’s attack, and he was substituted at halftime.

Moses Simon – 6.4/10
The usually electric winger had an off day, struggling to beat his markers and create chances from the left.

Victor Boniface – 6/10
Boniface’s struggles in front of goal continued, as he failed to make a meaningful impact in attack. His decision-making and finishing were poor, highlighting his growing frustration.

Samuel Chukwueze – 8/10
The standout performer for Nigeria, Chukwueze was electric after coming off the bench. His dazzling solo goal was the highlight of the night, and he injected much-needed urgency into the Super Eagles’ attack.

Conclusion

Despite already qualifying for AFCON 2025, the Super Eagles’ lackluster performance against Rwanda exposed key weaknesses. With World Cup qualifiers around the corner, coach Austin Eguavoen will need to address these issues to ensure Nigeria performs at the highest level.