Super Eagles Hold Rwanda To Goalless Draw

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria and Rwanda shared the spoils of an AFCON qualifier in a 0-0 draw at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday afternoon due to the heroics of the Rwandan goalkeeper.

Nigeria dominated possession but could not break their hosts in Kigali, the capital of the East African country, but it was one of the best outings for the Super Eagles on away soil in recent times.

Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari starred for Rwanda as they held 2024 AFCON runners-up Nigeria before a vibrant Kigali crowd that included President Paul Kagame.

Ntwari repeatedly defied the Super Eagles, especially Ademola Lookman, the lone African among the 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or men’s award.

Lookman claimed a hat-trick when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin this year.

When Lookman did get the ball in the net in Kigali, from a header midway through the first half, the goal was disallowed because a teammate had committed a foul.

Rwanda are 92 places below Nigeria in the world rankings, but their commitment and energy were commendable, and the Wasps deserved the point.

Nigeria have four points, Benin three, Rwanda two and Libya one in Group D. The next assignments for the Nigerians are home and away fixtures against the Libyans in October.