Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria: Player Ratings – Lookman’s Goal Disallowed

Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria: Player Ratings – Lookman’s Goal Disallowed

By Admin

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a goalless draw in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali. 

Despite being the better team, Nigeria struggled to find the back of the net, with a strong defense but limited offensive chances against a resilient Rwandan side. Meanwhile, many football followers who watched the match faulted some of the calls by the center referee particularly the Super Eagles goal by Ademola Lookman that would have decided the game.

The three-time African champions showed discipline in defense, keeping Rwanda’s attack at bay. However, the Nigerian forwards were unable to convert their opportunities into goals, leaving the game scoreless.

Goalkeeper and Defenders: Stanley Nwabali (7.3/10): The Chippa United goalkeeper had a solid game. He controlled his area well, especially in aerial situations, and maintained strong communication with his defenders. Nwabali also made some calm and crucial saves during the match.

William Troost-Ekong (7/10): The Super Eagles captain had a reliable performance in defense. Though he had a moment of lapse in the first half, allowing an open header that missed the target, he quickly regained his form and was dependable for the rest of the game.

Semi Ajayi (7/10): Ajayi was solid in defense and performed well in one-on-one situations. His positioning and decision-making were on point, contributing to Nigeria’s clean sheet.

Calvin Bassey (7/10): The Fulham defender delivered a strong performance at the back. While his distribution of the ball was inconsistent at times, his defensive contributions were important for Nigeria.

Ola Aina (7/10): Aina played a key role in defense, often stepping in as the last man during set pieces. His defensive work was complemented by his attacking efforts, including a long throw-in leading to a the disallowed goal for Nigeria in the second half.

Bruno Onyemaechi (7.3/10): Onyemaechi impressed in what could be considered his best game for Nigeria so far. His defensive stability was matched by his attacking runs, with several of his crosses posing a threat to the Rwandan defense.

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (7/10): Tasked with shielding the defense, Ndidi performed his duties well. His partnership with Dele-Bashiru was decent, and he avoided major mistakes, maintaining control of the midfield.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (6.8/10): Playing in an unfamiliar role, Dele-Bashiru did his best to adapt, but his impact in the final third was limited due to his defensive responsibilities. Despite being out of position, he contributed where needed.

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (6.5/10): Chukwueze had a lively first half, showing off his dribbling skills, but he struggled to create any real chances in the final third, making him largely ineffective as the game progressed.

Victor Boniface (6.5/10): Boniface had a decent outing, with a few half-chances in the first half. His link-up play with Lookman was promising, but he couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities.

Ademola Lookman (8/10): Lookman was Nigeria’s most dangerous forward, scoring a goal that was disallowed and forcing two good saves from the Rwandan goalkeeper. However, his efforts weren’t enough to break the deadlock.

Substitutes:

Victor Osimhen (6.5/10): Osimhen was brought on to add more attacking power, but he struggled to make an impact due to close marking by the Rwandan defenders. Despite this, he worked hard to press the opposition.

Moses Simon (6.3/10): Simon came on as a substitute but didn’t offer much more than Chukwueze. While he looked energetic, he failed to create any significant chances.

Raphael Onyedika (6.4/10): Onyedika put in a decent performance, though he wasn’t able to influence the game significantly.

Frank Onyeka (6.7/10): Onyeka was active after his introduction, making several key tackles and regaining possession for Nigeria, but he couldn’t push the team forward to secure a win.

In summary, Nigeria’s defense held strong throughout the game, but their attack lacked the finishing touch needed to secure a victory. Rwanda’s resilience and Nigeria’s inability to convert their chances resulted in a frustrating 0-0 draw.