Rwanda secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Uyo on Monday, rallying from a first-half deficit to claim a dramatic win with two quick-fire goals in the closing minutes of the match. Jimmy Mutsinzi and Innocent Nsuthi, who plays semi-professionally in the United States, emerged as heroes for the Amavubi, scoring in the 73rd and 75th minutes to leave the home crowd in shock.
The defeat marks another setback for Nigeria under interim coach Austin Eguavoen, who has struggled to stabilize the Super Eagles following his appointment as the third manager this year. Eguavoen made several changes to the lineup after the team’s 1-1 draw in Benin last week, but the loss only intensifies the pressure mounting on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to find a permanent solution before the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
The result has raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming tournament, with speculation growing that the NFF will accelerate its search for a permanent foreign coach to restore stability to the team.
Despite the defeat, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong took full responsibility for his team's defensive lapses, which led to the surprising loss. In a post-match interview, Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, acknowledged that Nigeria's defensive errors allowed Rwanda to stage a remarkable comeback. "We should have done better defensively," said Troost-Ekong. "Set pieces, like the free kick leading to the first goal, are always a danger, and I take full responsibility for that."
Troost-Ekong’s leadership on the field was recognized, and he earned a $1,000 cash prize from award sponsor Premium Bank for his performance. However, his disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the goals conceded. Rwanda capitalized on slack marking in the 75th minute when Nsuthi found the back of the net, sealing the win for his side.
Winger Samuel Chukwueze, who scored Nigeria’s only goal, was also awarded the Man of the Match (MOTM) accolade and received $2,000 for his efforts. Despite Chukwueze's individual brilliance, it was clear that Nigeria’s defensive fragility was the story of the match.
The loss is particularly painful for Nigeria, as they had hoped to finish the qualifiers on a positive note. "We wanted to win this final game to show our appreciation to the fans and maintain our unbeaten record," Troost-Ekong said. "But this result is disappointing. We must accept it and keep moving forward."
