Nigeria and Rwanda played out a scoreless draw at the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, but the Super Eagles maintained their lead in the qualifying group thanks to their 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday.
Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, facing the Cheetahs in Abidjan later in the day, could only overtake Nigeria with a three-goal victory.
The draw mirrored previous encounters between the two teams in Kigali. In 2006, Nigeria secured a 1-1 draw in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Amahoro, and they played out another goalless draw in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change to the lineup that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru replacing Alex Iwobi.
Nigeria came close to scoring early on, as Bruno Onyemaechi miscued a shot just three minutes in, following a great pass from Ademola Lookman.
Shortly after, Wilfred Ndidi’s shot was comfortably saved by Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.Rwanda’s Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire caused trouble for Nigeria’s defense as the match progressed, but it was Nigeria who nearly broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Lookman found the net, only for Moroccan referee Karim Sabry to disallow the goal due to a foul in the build-up.
Victor Boniface missed a golden chance three minutes later, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to convert after Boniface’s shot struck the post.
Four minutes before halftime, Onyemaechi again missed an opportunity, heading wide from an Olaoluwa Aina cross.
In the second half, substitute Moses Simon saw his shot blocked by Ntwari in the 53rd minute, while Jojea Kwizera almost gave Rwanda the lead in the 68th minute, but his effort sailed off target.
Lookman came close again in the 71st minute, only for his volley to be saved by Ntwari. Rwanda’s Mugisha then unleashed a powerful shot from 22 yards with two minutes left, but Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali parried it away.
In the 89th minute, substitute Raphael Onyedika had his shot blocked by Ntwari, who also denied Victor Osimhen’s header in stoppage time.The Super Eagles will next face Libya’s Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in mid-October.
