Only the goal difference cost Rwanda a ticket to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite staging a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory over Nigeria in the last Group D qualifying encounter held at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday, November 18.
Two quick fire second half goals from centre back Ange Mutsinzi and striker Innocent Nshuti in the space of 3 minutes were enough for Rwanda to come from behind to record a famous victory over the African giants. The result saw them go level on 8 points with Gernot Rohr’s Benin who held Libya to a goalless draw in Tripoli.
The Cheetahs secured the ticked on goal difference.
It seemed an insurmountable hill to beat the Super Eagles at home in the first place and things went as many predicted when Samuel Chukwueze opened the scoring in the 59th minute.
But Frank Spittler’s men defied the odds and register their first away victory ever in Nigeria. The men had fulfilled their task but their mission turned impossible when Libya failed to beat Benin.
The German coach made two changes from the starting 11 which lost 1-0 to Libya with Jean Bosco Ruboneka replacing Samuel Gueulette in midfield while Olivier Dushimimana also came in for Jojea Kwizera on the right.
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For Nigeria it was an entirely new squad where Augustin Eguavoen handed starting berths to eight players, considering that his team had already booked their ticket to Morocco.
Skipper Troost-Ekong, playmaker Dele-Bashiru and Victor Boniface were the only regulars who were handed starting berth.
Amavubi&039;s first chance of the game came after three minutes of action as Fitina Ombrorenga’s cross from the right sailed over the bar.
Bosco Ruboneka had a shot cleared by Troost-Ekong in the 15th minute as the resultant corner kick was wasted.
Great defending from Thierry Manzi denied Nigeria the opener as he threw himself in the penalty box to block Moses Simon's shot in the 25th minute after the striker had beaten him earlier on.
The visitors’ midfield was operating well where Ruboneka, who looked very calm on the ball, dictated the space and was able to cool the tempo of the game.
Bright Osayi proved to be a tough customer for Gilbert Mugisha as the APR FC winger failed to go past him in the 30th, 34th and 37th minutes as he pushed to either penetrate or passed the balls into the penalty box. The Fenerbahce defender, however, showed experience and good defensive qualities to keep Mugisha at bay.
The biggest chance of the game fell to Kelechi Iheanacho in the 43rd minute. The forward controlled a fine ball from the left before hitting a screamer inside the box but it was saved by Fiacre Ntwari.
Amavubi broke loose on the right through Dushimimana in the 45th minute but he was easily disposed of the ball by Bruno Onyemaechi.
The first half ended goalless with Nigeria being the better side.
Three minutes into the second half, Ntwari pulled a point blank save in the 48th minute to deny Victor Boniface following a superb header from a corner by Dele-Bashiru.
Ruboneka then found space upfront in the 58th minute but, instead of laying the ball to Nshuti, he decided to hit a shot and the ball was cleared.
The Super Eagles launched a quick counter attack as substitute Samuel Chukwueze beat three Rwandan players in the buildup before putting the ball into his left foot and shooting past Ntwari for the opener in the 59th minute.
The goal seemed to have blown even the little hope that Rwanda had to qualify. But Spittler had a different plan which eventually worked for him and his team.
He made his first substitution in the 60th minute as Samuel Gueulette replaced Bosco Ruboneka in midfield to bring stability in the midfield.
But Rwanda were dealt to a major injury blow as Ntwari suffered his hamstring in the 67th minute and couldn't continue the game, paving the way for Clement Twizere Buhake.
Spittler made another substitution as Jojea Kwizera replaced Dushimimana in the 70th minute in an attempt to make Rwanda’s right flank more effective.
The Rhode Island winger made an immediate impact he sent in a beautiful cross for Ange Mutsinzi to head home an equalizer.
Innocent Nshuti made it 2-1 for Rwanda in the 75th minute with a sweet connection from a cross from the left as Amavubi dramatically took control of the game.
Nigeria brought Victor Osimhem for Dele Bashiru in the 76th minute but the Galatasaray striker’s attacking threat didn’t stop Amavubi from continuing to impressed in the second half.
Eguavoen again brought on Umar Sadiq for Victor Boniface in the 86th minute while Rwanda also brought on Steve Rubanguka for Innocent Nshuti who had taken a knock.
The Super Eagles launched a late attack on Rwanda in the final five minutes of injury time but the visitors’ held on to record a famous win over the 2013 AFCON champions.
Despite finishing on same 8 points with Benin, Rwanda missed the ticket to the 2025 AFCON as the Cheetahs had better goal difference, on top of a better head-to-head performance.