{"id":56625,"date":"2024-11-21T13:04:50","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T13:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/?p=56625"},"modified":"2024-11-21T13:04:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T13:04:50","slug":"afcon-2025-qualifier-takeaways-super-eagles-vs-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/2024\/11\/21\/afcon-2025-qualifier-takeaways-super-eagles-vs-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2025 Qualifier Takeaways: Super Eagles vs Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Oluwamayowa Fakande<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Super Eagles concluded their Group D AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a 2-1 loss to Rwanda on Monday in Uyo. Thankfully, the result had no impact on Nigeria\u2019s qualification for next year\u2019s tournament, as the team had already secured their spot.<\/p>\n

Despite the defeat, Nigeria, under Coach Austine Eguavoen, topped the group with 11 points, while Benin Republic finished second with eight points. Here are the key lessons\u2014both positive and negative\u2014from the match against the Amavubi.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chukwueze\u2019s Redemption<\/strong><\/p>\n

Samuel Chukwueze delivered a standout performance, silencing critics after facing backlash for previous lackluster displays. Introduced at the start of the second half, he was a constant menace to Rwanda\u2019s defense, showing determination and skill.<\/p>\n

His moment of brilliance came when he received the ball in midfield, skillfully dribbled past three defenders, and finished clinically past the goalkeeper. Though Nigeria lost, Chukwueze\u2019s inspired play gives fans hope as the team prepares for the World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Okoye\u2019s Comeback<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maduka Okoye returned to the Super Eagles after a two-year absence, showcasing composure despite conceding two goals due to defensive lapses.<\/p>\n

While Stanley Nwabali remains the team\u2019s trusted first-choice goalkeeper, Okoye\u2019s display proved he still has much to contribute. His return adds depth to Nigeria\u2019s goalkeeping options.<\/p>\n

Simon\u2019s Improved Crossing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moses Simon\u2019s ability to deliver precise crosses was on full display during the qualifiers. The Nantes winger, known for his pace and trickery, provided three assists during the campaign, two of which were crucial headers against Benin Republic.<\/p>\n

Against Rwanda, Simon continued to create chances, including a well-placed corner for Victor Boniface that narrowly missed being converted. His improved crossing adds a new dimension to his game, making him a more complete winger.<\/p>\n

Osho\u2019s Steady Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gabriel Osho, who debuted in the 1-1 draw against Benin Republic, retained his spot against Rwanda and delivered another solid performance.<\/p>\n

While not flawless, the Auxerre defender showed potential and gained valuable experience. The coaching staff\u2019s decision to trust him with back-to-back starts will likely bolster his confidence.<\/p>\n

Concerns Over Team Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite qualification, the Super Eagles\u2019 uninspired performance against Rwanda raised concerns. The team looked disjointed, delivering one of their weakest displays in recent times.<\/p>\n

Midfield Struggles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coach Eguavoen experimented with a new midfield trio\u2014Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf\u2014but the gamble didn\u2019t pay off.<\/p>\n

The trio failed to dominate or control the game, leading to substitutions at half-time and later in the match. This lack of cohesion in midfield underscores the need for a more balanced and experienced approach as the team heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n

The Super Eagles may have qualified for AFCON 2025, but the match against Rwanda highlights areas that need urgent attention to ensure success in upcoming competitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Oluwamayowa Fakande The Super Eagles concluded their Group D AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a 2-1 loss to Rwanda on Monday in Uyo. Thankfully, the result had no impact on Nigeria\u2019s qualification for next year\u2019s tournament, as the team had already secured their spot. Despite the defeat, Nigeria, under Coach Austine Eguavoen, topped the group […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":56626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[175],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56625"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56627,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56625\/revisions\/56627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abujacityjournal.com\/livenews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}