Nigeria did all but put the ball in the net legally, yesterday, at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, where they met hosts, Rwanda, in a Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Nigeria had the ball in the net, though, but the centre referee disallowed the goal, ruling that Victor Osimhen was offside when he nodded the ball to Ademola Lookman to score.
After the disallowed goal, the Super Eagles continued to mount pressure on the Amavubi in search of the winner, but a combination of good goalkeeping by the Rwandan shot-stopper and hard luck denied Nigeria the win.
The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro Stadium, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the squad that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi.
Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman.
Two minutes later, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari.
Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalise as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play.
Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina.
Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front in the 68th minute as the homeboys broke forward, but his shot flew away from the goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari.
Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety.
Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time.
The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, in mid-October.
