From the start, it was clear that Rwanda, under the leadership of coach Frank Spittler, was not intimidated by their opponents. The Amavubi dominated the first five minutes of play, showing composure and determination, though no direct shots were fired at Nigeria's goal.
Early attempts came from Jojea Kwizera in the 7th minute, narrowly missing the crossbar with a long-range shot. Despite Nigeria's 61% possession, Rwanda maintained a solid defense, with Bizimana Djihad captaining the team and keeping the players organized.
Ntwari Fiacre's saves were the highlight of the match. His first came in the 25th minute, following an untimed back pass that almost resulted in a Nigerian goal. His composure and quick reflexes denied Osimhen, a moment that had the crowd on their feet.
Throughout the game, he made a total of eight direct saves, each one more crucial than the last, particularly in the final moments of the match. "Fiacre was an absolute wall today! His saves kept us in the game. We still have hope for AFCON," said a August Muhirwa, jubilant and passionate fan after the final whistle.
The game was filled with tense moments, especially when a 22nd-minute goal for Nigeria was canceled due to a foul on Manzi Thierry. Rwanda's defensive players, including Omborenga Fitina, who dominated the right flank, and Niyomugabo Claude, who played a strong game despite a yellow card, contributed to keeping the Super Eagles at bay.
As the second half commenced, a wave of excitement rippled through the stadium as President Paul Kagame arrived. His presence ignited the crowd, with cheers and chants filling the air, and it seemed to inspire the players on the field. Fitina and Kevin Muhire responded with a near-goal, immediately putting pressure on the Nigerian defense.
"It felt like a different game when the President showed up," shared one enthusiastic spectator. "The energy was electrifying, and you could see the team feeding off it."
Though Rwanda missed a chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half, the second half was filled with intense action. Fiacre again stole the spotlight, denying Simon Moses a goal with a spectacular one-on-one save in the 57th minute.
Fans held their breath as the clock ticked down, with Nigeria pressing hard for a goal, but Rwanda's defense, led by Manzi Thierry, remained steadfast. Even with five minutes of added time, Nigeria could not break through. The final whistle blew to the relief and joy of Rwandan supporters, who celebrated their team's resilience.
"Ntwari Fiacre deserves all the praise today," said another fan. "Without him, the score line would have been very different. We're still in this fight for AFCON" said another fan who identified himself as Gasogi.
This result marks another milestone for coach Frank Spittler, who continues to impress since taking over the Rwandan squad. Having lost just one of his first five games, including a victory over South Africa, Spittler has gained the trust of many Rwandans.
With this draw against the Super Eagles, who were AFCON finalists last year, Rwanda's hopes of qualifying for AFCON remain alive. As the dust settles, Rwanda prepares to take the momentum from this match forward. The next fixture is due on October 7, as Rwanda face Benin with Nigeria against Libya in Group D.
After two games, Nigeria sits top on the group with 4 points, Rwanda is second after a one-all draw in their opening game against Libya on September 4, 2024. Libya and Beninin are third and fourth with one and zero points respectively.
Sam K Nkurunziza
