By Mark Ogagan
Super Eagles interim coach, Austin Eguavoen’s two-game mandate ended on Tuesday after leading Nigeria to a goalless stalemate against Rwanda in an AFCON Qualifier in Kigali.
According to the former international defender who is also the Technical Director at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), he’s stepping down in accordance with terms handed down by the federation.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles remained in the driving seat of AFCON qualifying Group D despite playing out a goalless draw against the Wasps on Tuesday.
Thousands of spectators including President Paul Kagame, jammed the Amahoro Stadium to watch the explosive Match Day Two encounter.
The hosts started the game with high pressing and got the first chance of the game inside two minutes of action. Gilbert Mugisha, after some leg overs on the left flank, shot his effort wide.
But, just two minutes later, star forward Ademola Lookman responded for Nigeria only to miss his kick after wonderful display from Victor Boniface on the right.
Rwanda got the first corner kick of the game in the sixth minute after Mugisha’s cross hit Ola Aina. Thierry Manzi’s header from the resultant corner missed the post by inches.
Nigeria could have opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Ademola Lookman beat Thierry Manzi with pace before firing a low grounder which was saved by goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
The Kaizer Chiefs new keeper was in his elements as he saved his side on numerous occasions with great stops to deny the likes of Lookman, Moses Simon and Victor Boniface.
Rwanda was in control as they pinned Nigeria into their own half with great attacking play.
Lookman thought he had put his side ahead with a header in the 24th minute but it was ruled out after Manzi was fouled in the buildup.
Left back Claude Niyomugabo and Samuel Chukwueze were both booked in the 28th after being involved in heated exchanges in the Rwandan penalty area.
A minute later, Amavubi skipper Djihad Bizimana was also shown a yellow card for his challenge on Chukwueze. Wilfred Ndidi struck the resultant free kick but Bonheur Mugisha cleared it to the relief of the home supporters.
Amavubi had a penalty appeal ignored in the 38th minute after Gilbert Mugisha’s effort seemed to have hit Calvin Bassey hand.
The visitors then launched a swift counter attack which saw Boniface hitting the post before Niyomugabo cleared the danger with a scissor kick on the goal line.
Nigeria started to show glimpses of brilliance as they initiated all their attacks from the flanks. Aina sent in a delightful cross into the Rwanda penalty area but the connecting header from Bruno Onyemaechi missed the post by inches to the relief of the home fans.
Innocent Nshuti created space for himself with a nice turn but his strike sailed off target on the 45th minute.
After four minutes of injury time was added, Rwanda had a corner in the 46th minute which was wasted.
Aina received a yellow card in the third minute of additional time for pulling Niyomugabo’s shirt who was proving to be a tough customer for him.
The first half ended with the scores at 0-0 though Rwanda had been the better side.
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen brought on Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen for Chukwueze and Boniface as he sought to beef up his attack in the second half.
Nigeria tried to retain the ball on order to pull Rwanda out if their shells. A through ball from Lookman found Bashiru who tried to lob it past Ntwari but the Kaizer Chiefs shot stopper brilliantly saved the danger in the 52nd minute.
Spittler made his first change of game when he brought Samuel Gueulette for Gilbert Mugisha who looked exhausted.
Rwanda begun to make incursions into the Nigerian half. Jojea Kwizera flashed a shot wide after being set up by Ombrorenga Fitina before Nshuti clashed with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali when he tried to latched onto a pass from Bizimana.
Ntwari pulled another diving save to deny Lookman the opener in the 70th minute after the forward hit a superb volley inside the penalty box.
Ntwari was again in band to deny Osimhen the lead in the 75th minute before Thierry Manzi calmly stripped Osimhen off the ball in the 80th minute.
Rwanda brought on Arthur Gitego and Jean Bosco Ruboneka for Innocent Nshuti and Jojea Kwizera respectively in the 80th minute.
The referee put five minutes on top of the game as both teams pushed for the match winner.
Ntwari, who was having a splendid afternoon, saved a glancing header from Victor Osimhen in the 94th minute as both teams held on to a 0-0 draw.
Rwanda now have 2 points from two goals and will travel to Abidjan to face the Cheetahs of Benin when the qualifiers resumes in October.
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