The Super Eagles are being held to a scoreless draw by Rwanda by half time despite taking this 2026 World Cup qualifier to the visitors.
The stalemate has even come at a heavy cost as star striker Victor Osimhen, who scored twice against Rwanda in Kigali in March, was forced out by a suspected ankle injury in the 33rd minute.
As expected, Nigeria applied the early pressure on Rwanda in a game they have to win to keep alive whatever hopes they have to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The home fans thought the Super Eagles had gone ahead in the eighth minute when Osimhen slotted home from the near post but the effort was chalked off for offside.
In the 14th minute, Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari did well to keep out a tricky shot.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was booked on 25 minutes following a scuffle with a Rwanda player.
On the half hour mark, Moses Simon’s shot from inside the box came straight at the goalkeeper and minutes later, Alex Iwobi’s dipping shot from distance tipped over by the goalkeeper for a corner.
To the credit of Rwanda they defended well with the occasional incursions into the Nigerian half of the pitch.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Rwanda
Nwabali – Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey – Ndidi (Captain), Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon – Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen (Dessers 35)
