AFCON 2025 qualifiers
Kagame graces AFCON 2025 qualifier as Rwanda, Nigeria share spoils
The Amavubi of Rwanda and the Nigeria settled for a goalless draw in a Group D match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier played in Kigali on Tuesday.
Graced by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the match was watched by a big crowd at the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium.
Against a star studded Super Eagles side, the Rwanda defenders led by Ange Mutsinzi, Fitina Omborenga and Claude Niyomugabo were up to the task and kept them at bay.
Earlier after 21 minutes Lookman Olajide Ademola thought he had given Nigeria the lead off a header, but the referee called for a free-kick after an infringement in the box.
Later the Nigerian bench made changes bringing on star players Moses Simon in for Samuel Chukwueze, and Victor Osimhen in for Victor Boniface. But the Super Eagles were still locked out by the determined Amavubi side.
In the 87th minute Rwanda had a chance when Bonheur Mugisha’s shot was parried back into play by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Bobo Nwabali.
In Juba, hosts South Sudan suffered a 3-2 defeat to South Africa in a Group K match. Tito Okello gave the Bright Star the lead from the spot after 15 minutes after being brought down by Siyabonga Ngezana. But Oswin Appollis netted two goals to take South Africa 2-1 at the interval.
Later Valentino Yuel leveled matters for South Sudan 13 minutes after the break. With just a few minutes of added time Thalente Mbatha scored for Bafana Bafana to enable them pick three valuable points.
Uganda Cranes who beat Congo Brazzaville 2-0 in another Group K match played in Kampala on Monday remain top of the Group with a better goal advantage than South Africa who also have the same number of points
On Monday other teams in the CECAFA Zone Burundi suffered a 1-0 Group L defeat to Senegal, while Sudan lost 2-1 away to Angola in a Group F match played in Luanda. Ethiopia suffered a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in a Group H match they hosted at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.