In a thrilling Group D encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Rwanda held the Super Eagles of Nigeria to a goalless draw at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday.
Rwanda’s head coach, Torsten Spittler, commended Nigeria’s world-class strikers but expressed pride in his team's resilient performance against the three-time African champions.
Nigeria, fresh off a dominant 3-0 victory over Benin Republic, entered the match brimming with confidence.
However, they faced a tough Rwandan defense that stood firm throughout the game. Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari emerged as Rwanda's standout player, delivering crucial saves to deny the Nigerians any breakthrough.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, with President Paul Kagame among the vibrant crowd that watched Rwanda frustrate their esteemed opponents.
Despite Nigeria’s attacking prowess, the Amavubi stood tall, leaving the Super Eagles to share the spoils in what turned out to be a tense but barren stalemate.
Spittler, visibly pleased with his team's effort, praised his side’s discipline and determination, acknowledging the quality of Nigeria’s attack while highlighting Rwanda's ability to keep pace with Africa’s elite teams. This result now adds more intrigue to the race for qualification in Group D.
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