A rotated Nigeria side ended their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in meek fashion as Rwanda came from behind to win 2-1 on Monday. The Super Eagles had already booked their place at AFCON 2025 with time to spare, top spot in Group D wrapped up last week, but they will be frustrated by their performance in the final match of 2024.
Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi were among those on the bench, while Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman both returned to their clubs ahead of the match. After a largely uneventful first-half, Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench at half-time and opened the scoring on the hour mark, driving into the box and finish low into the corner with his left foot.
Rwanda, though, responded impressively, scoring twice in the space of three minutes to turn the match around. Ange Mutsinzi was left free as the ball was swung in to head home, and almost immediately the visitors then found what proved to be the winning goal, with Innocent Nshuti squeezing in a finish from a tight angle. Catch up on all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Nigeria vs Rwanda latest news
- GOAL! innocent turns match around for visitors
- GOAL! Mutsinzi gets Rwanda level
- GOAL! Chukwueze breaks deadlock on hour mark
FT: Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:58 , Matt VerriFull-time and it’s victory for Rwanda!
A rotated Nigeria took the lead, but two goals in the space of three minutes turned it around for the visitors.
No damage for the Super Eagles, who had already secured AFCON qualification.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:57 , Matt Verri90+4 mins: Osimhen played in behind, but the offside flag is up.
That could be that for Nigeria.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:55 , Matt Verri90+3 mins: Shot from distance from Onyedika, gathered at the second time.
Rwanda doing a good job of ticking away the seconds...
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:53 , Matt Verri90 mins: Could be a huge amount of stoppage-time here.
All eyes on the fourth official... five minutes!
Interesting decision, considering the Rwanda goalkeeper was down for about six.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:49 , Matt Verri87 mins: Nearly for Nigeria.
Ball to the back post is a really good one, Chukwueze is free but he’s put off by the defender in front of him.
Ball runs under his foot and out for a goal kick.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:46 , Matt Verri84 mins: Boniface runs at the Rwanda defence, space opens up for him just outside the area.
Gets the shot away... awful. Sliced miles high and even wider.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:43 , Matt Verri81 mins: Osimhen tries his luck from near enough the byline, with nobody up in support. Does well to win a corner.
Floated to the back post, Troost-Ekong gets up but can’t direct the header.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda
17:39 , Matt Verri77 mins: No surprise here...
Osimhen is on for Nigeria, who have probably the best part of 20 minutes to turn this around, with a fair bit of added-time expected.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda | Innocent Nshuti 75'
17:38 , Matt VerriThey’ve turned it around!
Two goals in the space of about three minutes. Nigeria have fallen apart.
Nshuti allowed in down the left and he squeezes a a finish in from a tight angle.
Nigeria 1-1 Rwanda
17:37 , Matt Verri74 mins: Rwanda rushed back to the centre circle.
Even a win might not be enough for them to qualify, depending on results elsewhere, but they are going to at least try and hold up their end of the deal.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Rwanda | Ange Mutsinzi 72'
17:35 , Matt VerriFree-kick out wide for Rwanda, Simon a bit too keen as he goes shoulder-to-shoulder with Omborenga.
And they level it up!
Swung in, Mutsinzi left free to head home!
Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda
17:30 , Matt Verri68 mins: I take that back. He’s gone down again.
Limping off this time, so Buhake is on in goal for Rwanda.
Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda
17:28 , Matt Verri66 mins: Couple of minutes delay, as goalkeeper Ntwari needs some treatment after being caught by Chukwueze.
He’s fine to continue.
Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda
17:24 , Matt Verri62 mins: Space is really opening up for Nigeria now.
Onyeka has a chance to run with it, tries to play in Chukwueze but he overhits the pass. That was a real chance.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda | Samuel Chukwueze 59'
17:22 , Matt VerriSuper Eagles take the lead!
Direct running from Chukwueze, all the way into the Rwanda box and he then finds the bottom corner with the low left-footed strike.
Did it all by himself.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
17:20 , Matt Verri58 mins: Onyedika caught late by Nshuti, who has barely had a kick up front for Rwanda.
Just reminding everyone he’s still here.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
17:16 , Matt Verri54 mins: Nigeria well on top since the restart, Rwanda defence being put under real pressure.
Nothing to show for it yet, though....
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
17:12 , Matt Verri50 mins: Corner for Nigeria earlier in this half, as a low cross is turned behind.
And it’s a brilliant save!
Boniface powered the header at goal, Ntwari reacted so quickly to keep it out.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
17:09 , Matt Verri47 mins: Couple of changes for Nigeria at the break.
Chukwueze and Onyeka are on, with Iheanacho and Yusuf making way.
Back underway!
17:07 , Matt VerriUp and running in the second-half!
Around the continent...
16:57 , Matt VerriGoals aren’t exactly flying in - here’s some other half-time scores for you:
Libya 0-0 Benin
Ghana 0-1 Niger
Sudan 0-0 Angola
HT: Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:50 , Matt VerriAnd that’s half-time.
Not a classic. Nigeria have had the better moments in attack, with Iheanacho’s strike saved late in the half.
Rwanda have not really troubled the Nigerian defence.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:47 , Matt Verri45 mins: As close as we’ve come to a goal!
Great work on the left from Simon, stands up cross to the back post and Iheanacho brings it down.
Shot is a decent one, but too close to the goalkeeper and parried away.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:45 , Matt Verri43 mins: Corner for the visitors.
Fired in at the near post, easily cleared and Nigeria can break.... but the pass over the top is far too heavy.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:43 , Matt Verri41 mins: Still waiting for our first shot on target.
Simon gets in down the left, but can’t put enough on the cut-back and Rwanda clear.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:39 , Matt Verri37 mins: Rwanda having a better spell of possession, they have grown into this match.
Imagine it won’t be much into the second-half before Nigeria turn to their bench, at this rate.
Osimhen among the stars waiting in reserve.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:35 , Matt Verri33 mins: Two shots in the match so far, both for Nigeria. Neither on target.
It’s not exactly been all-action. Super Eagles now play it straight out of play in their own half, before Troost-Ekong comes over to charge down the cross.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:31 , Matt Verri29 mins: Yusuf back up, Mugisha the latest Rwanda player into the book.
Both midfielders on a booking.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:29 , Matt Verri27 mins: Now Yusuf requires some treatment, Nigeria players on the end of some rough treatment at the moment.
Osimhen is warming up on the touchline and isn’t looking too happy with what he’s seeing.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:27 , Matt Verri25 mins: Osayi-Samuel down for Nigeria and he looks in a fair bit of pain.
Bizimana it was who went in late on him, few Nigeria players have gone over to confront him. Not happy with that hack.
Yellow card for the Rwanda midfielder.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:24 , Matt Verri22 mins: Nigeria haven’t carried much of a threat out wide so far, Lookman’s absence is being felt.
Simon tries to change that, but he’s a couple of yards offside by the time the pass finds him.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:20 , Matt Verri18 mins: Rwanda’s corner is cleared and Iheanacho can lead the Nigeria break, as he’s picked out on the halfway line.
Poor pass from him, though. He has to turn all the way back and wait for support.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:17 , Matt Verri15 mins: Bit of a scrappy few minutes, plenty of fouls from both sides.
Rwanda haven’t offered anything yet in attack, Nigeria firmly on top and looking the more dangerous.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:13 , Matt Verri11 mins: Iheanacho’s shot charged down, corner for Nigeria.
He strolls over to take it. Not a great ball in, though. Rwanda threaten to break but Nigeria get bodies back to deal with it.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:11 , Matt Verri9 mins: Yusuf left in a heap on the floor, clattered in midfield by Bizimana.
Just a warning from the referee - doubt it will be next time.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:08 , Matt Verri6 mins: Iheanacho tries a clever spin in his own half, but he gets it all wrong and ends up tripping himself up.
He’s playing on the right wing, with Boniface through the middle.
Nigeria 0-0 Rwanda
16:04 , Matt Verri2 mins: Confident start from Nigeria, already finding space in Rwanda territory.
Dele-Bashiru tries his luck from 25 yards out, scuffs it though and it’s cleared away.
KICK-OFF!
16:02 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running in this final AFCON qualifier!
Here we go!
15:57 , Matt VerriTeams are out onto the pitch.
Kick-off just a few minutes away, as Nigeria look to wrap up an unbeaten AFCON qualifying campaign and finish 2024 on a high.
Not long now!
15:48 , Matt VerriKick-off coming up in just over ten minutes.
Players will be in the tunnel very shortly. Reminder that Rwanda have to win this match, and even that might not be enough for them to qualify for AFCON.
Nigeria - no pressure on them at all.
Rwanda team news
15:36 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Fiacre, Omborenga, Thierry, Ange, Emmanuel, Bonheur, Ruboneka, Djihad, Mugisha, Nshuti, Dushimimana
World Cup hopes in trouble...
15:29 , Matt VerriIn March next year, Nigeria’s full focus will turn back to their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
It’s not gone particularly well, drawing three and losing the other one of their first four matches.
Nigeria sit fifth in the six-team group, four points behind today’s opponents Rwanda, who lead the way.
Only the side finishing top of the group is guaranteed a place at the World Cup.
Nigeria travel to face Rwanda in March... these two sides are getting very familiar with each other.
Nigeria team news
15:20 , Matt VerriHere is that Nigeria lineup.
Osimhen drops to the bench, with Boniface leading the line this afternoon.
Iwobi, Ndidi and Bassey among those to also move to the bench.
#SuperEagles Team News in
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 18, 2024
🟢⚪️
🪨 Osayi-Samuel back in the Starting XI
⚡️ Dele-Bashiru, Onyedika combine in the middle
🙌🏽 Boniface leads attack line #SoarSuperEagles #NGARWA pic.twitter.com/07x4P9WHVt
Stand by...
15:11 , Matt VerriAll the team news coming up very shortly.
Expecting a fair few changes from Nigeria, chance for them to give some new faces a chance.
Eguavoen in the dark over future
14:57 , Matt VerriAugustine Eguavoen has been in interim charge of Nigeria and led the side to AFCON qualification, but he does not know whether he will remain in the dugout beyond the end of the year.
“The World Cup [qualifiers] will come, but I don’t know if I will be in charge or not,” Eguavoen said in the build-up to this match.
“If I’m in charge, we’ve spoken about it, we know that we have to win every game, and we will approach each game as a final.
“So, let that time come first.”
"Football is not easy"
14:45 , Matt VerriKelechi Iheanacho spoke after Nigeria wrapped up top spot in Group D last week.
He was keen to emphasise the hard work that has gone into this successful campaign, despite the Super Eagles making light work of qualification.
SeniormanKelz @67Kelechi x #Onyedika share their thoughts on the team’s Afcon Qualification #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/7hxGTDfEGS
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 17, 2024
Osimhen moving up the list
14:32 , Matt VerriVictor Osimhen scored a late equaliser for Nigeria against Benin on Thursday, for what was his 23rd goal for the Super Eagles.
That has moved him alongside Segun Odegbami in the Nigeria scoring charts, with the pair in second place.
Only Rashidi Yekini, with 37 goals has more in a Nigeria shirt.
Osimhen already up to joint-second at the age of 25, have to think there’s a big, big chance he finishes top of that list.
Earlier today...
14:19 , Matt VerriThe Nigeria were squad were out for a walk this morning, before making their way to the stadium.
MatchDay TeamWalk ✅ #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/XDPGQ1DeRS
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 18, 2024
Standard Sport prediction
14:08 , Matt VerriIt is difficult to know what to expect from this clash.
There is nothing on the line for Nigeria, but Rwanda know they have to win if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
That should open the match up, with Nigeria’s quality likely proving too good.
Nigeria to win, 2-0.
Nigeria team news
13:56 , Matt VerriAdemola Lookman and Ola Aina have returned to Atalanta and Nottingham Forest respectively, with Nigeria have already sealed qualification.
Stanley Nwabali’s father died last week and so the goalkeeper is not expected to be involved, with Maduka Okoye likely to feature instead.
How to watch Nigeria vs Rwanda
13:41 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via bet365 Football Live Streaming platform.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!
Good afternoon!
13:33 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Nigeria vs Rwanda!
The qualifying campaign for AFCON 2025 comes to an end this afternoon, with the Super Eagles having already wrapped up top spot in Group D.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here, ahead of kick-off at 4pm GMT.
