In today’s 2025 AFCON qualifier, Nigeria was held to a scoreless draw by Rwanda, losing the opportunity to earn all three points. A few players underperformed, which added to the team’s inability to find the back of the net despite a strong defensive effort. These three players didn’t stand out in today’s goalless draw.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
1. Victor Boniface
Victor Boniface had a frustrating day in attack. The Bayer Leverkusen forward missed one of the biggest chances of the match when he hit the crossbar in the first half. It was a moment that could have given Nigeria the lead, but Boniface failed to deliver. For a player of his caliber, this was an opportunity that should have been converted, especially in a tight game where clear chances were limited.
Boniface’s lack of sharpness in front of goal made him less of a threat to the Rwandan defense, and he was eventually substituted in the second half for Victor Osimhen, who brought more energy to Nigeria’s attack.
2. Ola Aina
Ola Aina, playing as a wing-back, didn’t deliver his best performance today. While he held his ground in defense and played his role well enough in protecting the backline, his contribution to the attack was lacking. Wing-backs are expected to strike a balance between defense and attack, but Aina struggled to make an impact going forward.
His crosses into the box were limited, and Nigeria missed the attacking support that Aina usually provides from the wide areas. In a game where Nigeria needed more creativity to break down Rwanda’s defense, Aina’s quiet performance didn’t help the team’s cause.
3. Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze had a disappointing outing in the first half. The winger, known for his pace and dribbling ability, failed to create any big chances for his teammates. Chukwueze struggled to break through Rwanda’s defense, and his lack of creativity in the final third was evident.
After a quiet first half, he was replaced by Moses Simon, who brought more spark to Nigeria’s attack. Chukwueze’s inability to influence the game left Nigeria lacking a crucial edge in the first 45 minutes.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>