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With qualification for a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco already in the bag, it was expected that the Super Eagles players would not understandably going to play to their strength against the Amavubi of Rwanda in their final qualifier played in Uyo on Monday.
However, despite the understanding of lowering the bar in their performance in that last match, not a few Nigerians had the belief that the former African champions would end the round robbing hostilities on the high by seeing off visitors.
Regrettably, Nigeria suffered their first loss against Rwanda at the end of ninety minutes in what has now come to be a reference point. But for national pride, the match against Rwanda absolutely held nothing for the former African champions and no wonder interim manager, Austin Eguaveon, gave other players a rare opportunity to start in the dead rubber game. He made five changes to the side that started the previous game against Benin. Nonetheless, Nigeria were still the overwhelming favorites to claim the win due to their quality. Commentators noted that with the players in camp, the second set of them should be able to see off the visitors.
True to that assertion, the Super Eagles started the better of the duo, dominating the first half but they lacked the cutting edge as they failed to create clear-cut chances in the final third.
Samuel Chukwueze, who started from the bench, got into the game in the second half, and he scored the opener for the Super Eagles. However, the team fell apart ten minutes later, as Rwanda scored twice in three minutes to take a 2-1 lead.
After going down, the Super Eagles failed to inspire confidence with their play, as they struggled to threaten the Rwandan backline. It eventually ended 2-1 to the Amavubi, as they claimed their first-ever win over Nigeria.
Lamenting over the loss while speaking to the press, Eguaveon questioned the precision of the players, particularly the forwards, saying matches are won only when goals are scored.
“Goals win games, we all know that. They are scoring goals in their club sides, they are scoring goals in training. But when it comes to the game, they don’t score goals. I keep asking the same questions,” Eguavoen told journalists.
“But you know there are some players who can make a difference, who can put the ball into space for them to go to goal. But we are still looking for that player who has that flair and creativity. A good playmaker who can put the ball into space for them.”
However and despite the loss, suffice to say that only few managers have the unique knack for stepping into difficult situations and offering stability like Eguavoen has severally done with the Super Eagles
Time and again, the former Nigeria captain has been the go-to man for the Super Eagles during turbulent periods, and once again, he answered the call when Nigeria needed him, with a huge success.
Recall that earlier and with four points out of a possible six in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in the first leg against Rwanda in Kigali, Eguavoen showed courage to ring changed in the team.
For example, his decision to rotate the squad against the Amavubi then was both bold and tactical. Dropping key players like Victor Osimhen to the bench then to start Victor Boniface who has had a better preseason preparation with his club shows Eguavoen is not afraid to make the tough calls.
In that reverse fixture, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was also given the nod over Alex Iwobi as Evuavoen looked to try something different in Kigali. While that decision raised eyebrows, it was a clear signal that Eguavoen understands the importance of squad depth, particularly when games come thick and fast.
Similarly, he dropped a number of first team players in Uyo on Monday. It was one decision that however ensured that the Rwandans got the better of the Super Eagles even though the match was highly insignificant to the home team.
According to former international, Dimeji Lawal, it was just right for the coach to ring changes since there was nothing to play for.
He noted that the match was one that shouldn’t be a must-win for them given that the European season is still very much alive and that the international break was over.
“I think some players who have been playing should be rested and the coach did just that,” he said in a monitored programme.
“Also, international break has ended and the players have to play with all caution because none will want to return to their clubs with injuries. The match is not a must-win for them.
“If that match is the decider for us to qualify for the AFCON, I bet you that they (Rwanda) won’t have gotten a draw. It’s just normal because the players weren’t fighting for anything
“For me Eguaveon has done well as a stopgap coach; the players also did well to qualify even before the last match before the one against Rwanda,” he said.
However, there were obvious inadequacies in the team despite fielding non-regulars. That the players are not starters shouldn’t be an excuse for certain errors and that is one thing that should task the coaches going forward.
For example, the team struggled in the middle and the absence of creative play left the attacking players isolated and without adequate service made it difficult to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Rwanda’s high press disrupted Nigeria’s build-up play. The Super Eagles failed to adapt to this pressure, often defaulting to errors and struggling to find effective ways to break the press.
There was lack of adequate cohesion as Nigeria’s failure to attack in numbers or maintain a compact defensive shape was glaring. This lack of tactical cohesion allowed Rwanda to dominate transitions and maintain control in critical moments.
Also, the Super Eagles lacked the urgency and passion expected in such a high-stakes game. They failed to embody the determination that resonates with the footballing culture and pride of Nigeria.
This is a task for the coach or whoever that would come in his stead to tackle. As Eguavoen rightly pointed out, there is the lack of creativity in Super Eagles middle as Alex Iwobi has failed to assert himself in that position.
The absence of this has made it difficult to bring out the best from both the strikers and wingers as the importance of creativity in the middle of a team cannot be overemphasised.
Veteran Coach Zachary Baraje has charged the coaches to look inward to bridge the gap.
“What players in the NPFL lack is exposure and not skill and creativity,” he told our correspondent.
“What will stop the national team coaches from looking at a good player they can trust to compete and perhaps fill the vacancy in the team?
“They can look at positions of need in the team and go for it. This over reliance on foreign based players is not helping the Super Eagles in any way and I think time has come to look at players that can give them what they want,” he said
However, analysts have agreed that despite that nothing but national pride was at stake for the Super Eagles, losing to Rwanda should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian football. While the Super Eagles are rich in talent, fundamental issues like tactical planning, team selection and passion must be addressed.
While defending the coach, former Super Eagles player and Anambra Football Association boss, Chikelue Iloenyosi, said Eguaveon had never been part of any challenge with the national team, saying the team lacked character against Rwanda.
“Eguavoen has never been part of the problem,” Iloenyosi stated.
“Even if you bring in someone like Mourinho to coach Nigeria, the team still lacks character.
He highlighted the team’s broader shortcomings, pointing to poor player positioning and a lack of passion on the field.
“The way we played, the boys didn’t position themselves well—there was no passion and character in the national team,” he remarked.
Iloenyosi also emphasised that a coaching change wouldn’t address the underlying issues. “Losing the game is not Eguavoen’s fault. Even with a different coach, the result would have been the same,” he added.
Friday Elaho, former Super Eagles winger, has said for consistency, Eguaveon should be allowed to continue with the team, saying the match against Rwanda was just not entirely unexpected given that the team had qualified already.
Speaking on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred” with Ifeanyi Udeze, Elahor expressed his confidence in Eguavoen’s capability to lead the team long-term.
“They should give him the job as long as NFF has not contacted any coach, and nobody is on ground they should just appoint him. Give him two years contract and let us see what will happen.
“There’s no need to keep searching for new coaches. If Eguavoen delivers, they should give him the job.
“The Rwanda result comes once in a while especially when you are already safe in qualifiers. I don’t think that should be an issue,” he said.
