Rwanda pulled off a shocking 2-1 win over Nigeria in Group K's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier staged at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday evening.
Amavubi had come into the game hoping to secure maximum points and hope Libya beat Benin in another game of the pool that was played simultaneously.
After a goalless first half, the Super Eagles opened the scoring in the 59th minute through Samuel Chukwueze who danced his way through the defenders before firing past Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
However, Rwanda responded in the 72nd minute when Ange Mutsinzi headed the ball past Maduka Okoye after a good freekick from Jojea Kwizera. Three minutes later, Innocent Nshuti scored what turned out to be the winning goal.
Rwanda win, but Chiefs pay the price
The victory was Amavubi's first ever against the Super Eagles, having failed to secure a win in the previous six meetings across all competitions. Despite finishing with eight points the same as second-placed Benin, Rwanda missed the Afcon ticket owing to a poor head-to-head record with their rivals.
Nevertheless, Soweto Giants Kaizer Chiefs might be without their goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari for some time. The custodian was stretchered off in the 69th minute owing to what looked like a knee injury.
Ntwari has been Amakhosi's first-choice custodian since joining from TS Galaxy a couple of months ago. He has kept one clean sheet in seven competitive games for his new team. If he doesn't recover on time, Bruce Bvuma might be considered when the team play Richards Bay in the Premier Soccer League game on Wednesday, November 27 at the FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi have not won their last three PSL matches.
