Reactions to Nigeria vs Rwanda: Controversial Calls and Missed Chances in AFCON Qualifiers Showdown

hey everyone welcome back to another episode of sports Central my name is Emmanuel and today we'll be breaking down Nigeria's goess draw against Rwanda in the 20125 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers it's a game that left us with a lot to think about Miss chances a controversial decision and the future of the super OS under Austin UAV so sit tight grab a drink and let's get right to it all right let's kick things off by setting the scene Nigeria went into this match full of confidence after that 3-0 demolition of Ben Republic but the game against Rwanda was a totally different story despite taking 20 shots and creating three big chances we just couldn't find the back of the net it wasn't for a lack of effort though our boys were all over the pitch but it felt like every time we got close rwanda's goalkeeper fak CR toari was there to shut us down putting a brilliant performance with nine saves that kept Rwanda in the game it's frustrating but that's football right sometimes you dominate but you just can't find the back of the net he just can't find out breakthrough it's all part of the game now let's talk about the pitch though the amahoro stadium has a hybrid surface not pure grass like what we are used to in the European leagues and I think that played a big role in how we struggle to find our Rhythm early on now a key talking point here is the artificial pitch a lot of our players are used to playing unperfect grass surfaces in Europe so coming to Rwanda and playing on a hybrid pitch was always going to be a challenge you could see it in the first 10 minutes Rwanda had had the upper hand early on and our boys just couldn't settle it took time for them to adjust but once they did Nigeria took full control of the game and dominated going forward now you can't help but wonder if it did affect the way we played but credit to the super egos they adapted well and began to dominate possession I mean they they control the game for majority of that match and um and it's it's something that we should be proud of the problem was just converting that dominance into goals now one player I really want to talk about is Victor on face he started again ahead of Victor siman just like in a match against B Republic but to be honest he struggled to impose himself on the game Bonz is a different kind of Striker from asiman of course but let no oshimen is Relentless right he presses Defenders makes those vertical runs and always and he's always looking to score he's always in those right spaces always looking to pounce on the ball to score Bon on the other hand lies to drop deep and link up play with his teammate although he had one big moment in that match some great footwork from him and he which eventually Hit The Cross by in that match which was sort of our biggest chance in that game apart from that um goal which was disallowed by um Adon lukman but that was as close as he got as he got you have to Fe for him a little especially considering the surface and the tough conditions but at the same time you have to wonder was oim the better choice to start we saw the difference he came he made when he came on in the later in that match now let's talk about Nigeria's overall performance uon boys created three big chances had nine shots on target but no matter how hard they tried they just couldn't find the goal ponus hit the bar and fakar was like a wall in goal for Rwanda it's one of those games where the super Eagles were just unlucky but hey this is football right sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way and you have to live with that and to make matters was there was a big moment in the game that had all of us Nigerian fans pulling our hair out I mean everybody was on their feet everybody was screaming ghoul but let's talk about adola lukman's go or should I say the goal that wasn't given in the 23rd minute lukman scor what looked like a perfectly legitimate goal but the referee called his back for a foul now here's the thing there was no V at the amaru stadium so the refere decision stood but after reviewing the footage it's clear the goal should have counted it was a big moment in that match and could have changed the trajectory of that match if the referee had made the right decision it would have changed the tempo of the entire game I mean why make such a callous mistake in such an important match like this if that goal had stood Rwanda would have had to come out of their defensive shell and Nigeria could have punished them even more instead it stay z0 and the super Eagles just couldn't break through I mean look it's frustrating but we have to move on it's part of the game sometimes the decisions go your way sometimes they don't you just have to pick yourself up and prepare for the next game right now going into the second half UAV made some smart changes he brought on Victor riman and Moses Simon to inject more pace and aggression into the attack replacing Bon and Chuka he also made changes in Midfield bringing on Rafa and Frank for and Bashir I mean this were really really this were some decisions I agreed with the coach on this those changes needed to be made the changes added more energy to the team and we saw making those dangerous runs we've come to expect but despite their best efforts rwanda's defense held strong and their goalkeeper was just unbeatable on the day crazy that guy was a wall at the point I was begging him or got concede but yeah now after the match Nigerians were understandably frustrated with the officiating especially decision to disallow lukman's goal Egyptian referee mamed Maru was criticized for his handling of the game and let's be real if that goal had stood if that go has stood it would have forced R to open up and could have seen a very different result I mean the referee decision in that particular moment in affected the whole trajectory of this match it's tough but the team has to move on of course the super EOS will continue the African qualification Journey with two key Fe coming up against Libya in October and there's plenty of football left to be played and I believe Nigeria will bounce back from this I I really love the way they are playing I think they can only become stronger from here now let's talk about the behind the Hem of Affairs here talking about Austin UAV after two matches in charge we've seen some really good football from the super EOS under his leadership he played two matches and guess what we are yet to concede a goal Nigeria has not considered a goal in the two matches in this in the 2025 halfon qualifying now compared that to fin the judge who played two matches and considered four goals eavon has stuck with the best defense in Africa and we seen the re we seen the result there's a strong argument for that UAV should be given the job permanently and I think I perfectly agree with them he's brought stability to the team the chemistry is evident and you can see that the players are happy playing under him even those on the bench are in High Spirits I mean the Harmony in the squad right now is undeniable leavon has already put us in a strong position to qualify for the afcon so why not let him finish the job I mean if you change we've had three different coaches in the last one year with different philosophies and I think it's affecting this team something is working I think we should stick with it stick with us in a guav despite the draw of course there's a lot to be optimistic about this match we've got a solid defense exciting players like lukan on a shiman and a coach who seems to be getting the best out of the squad next up is a double header against Libya and I believe we will come out stronger ladies and gentlemen thanks for watching today's episode of sports Central if you enjoy this episode of course don't forget to like share and subscribe for more Super Eagles updates and football discussions until next time keep supporting the team and I'll catch you in the next one bye-bye