Former Nigerian football stars Victor Ikpeba and Mutiu Adepoju have voiced their dismay following the Super Eagles' unexpected 2-1 defeat to Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday, left fans and pundits stunned.
The Super Eagles started strong, with Samuel Chukwueze scoring a 59th-minute opener. However, Rwanda turned the game around in dramatic fashion, netting twice in just three minutes through Aimable Mutinzi and Imanishimwe Nshuti. Despite a promising lineup and a one-goal lead, Nigeria was unable to recover.
Victor Ikpeba, the 1997 African Footballer of the Year, was critical of the players' performance, especially given the opportunity afforded to new faces in the squad.
"I am disappointed with the boys being called upon," Ikpeba stated. "The players selected should have been good enough to secure maximum points against Rwanda. I thought they would dominate and win.
"The coach made seven changes, which is understandable since we had already qualified. It was a chance for these players to prove themselves, but they failed to do justice to the national team. The fans who came out in large numbers will feel let down.
"That’s football sometimes—you don’t always get the result you expect. However, I think we should stay positive for now."
Mutiu Adepoju, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad, echoed Ikpeba's sentiments, calling the loss "very sad."
"I thought we would win by at least two goals. When we scored the first goal, I was sure the second would follow, but instead, they equalised and scored again in quick succession.
"It’s disappointing—I never expected Rwanda to defeat us. The performance was below par and truly disheartening."
Despite the setback, Nigeria secured the top spot in Group D with 11 points from six matches. Benin Republic joined them in qualifying for next year’s AFCON in Morocco, edging out Rwanda on goal difference.
The Amavubi had arrived in Uyo with high hopes of qualifying, needing a win and a Libya victory over Benin Republic. While they achieved their part of the equation, their efforts fell short as they finished third in the group.
