Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda: Player ratings – Chukwueze shines, Boniface disappoints again, Iheanacho makes a bad case

The Super Eagles fell to their first loss of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they surrendered a 1-0 lead and eventually lost 2-1. Samuel Chukwueze broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, but goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti in the 72nd and 75th minutes sealed the win for Rwanda.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen fielded a second string side, but it was still a side that was good enough to beat Rwanda on paper. However, most of the players failed to show their quality.

Soccernet.ng highlights the players and grades their performances on the night.

Maduka Okoye 5.7/10: Okoye returned to man the sticks for the first time in two years. He replaced Stanley Nwabali who had to leave the camp after losing his father. He looked good until Nigeria conceded. While the first goals was to quick for him, he could have done better with the second. He showed once more that he is not ready to become the number 1.

William Troost-Ekong 6/10: Troost-Ekong looked much better than he was in the Benin game. But he could have done better with the goals that Nigeria conceded. His partnership with Osho also looked shaky.

Gabriel Osho 6/10: The Auxerre man is yet to fully adjust to African football, and it showed. He looked non-existent in the two goals that Nigeria conceded. His partnership with Troost-Ekong still needs some work.

Alhassan Yusuf 6.8/10: Yusuf had an active game as usual. He gave the Rwandans a tough time in the midfield. And if he had ended the game, Rwanda probably would not have scored.

Bright Osayi-Samuel 6/10: It was an average showing from the Fenerbahce man. Rwanda’s second goal was created from his side of the pitch, and it seemed like he was doing too much at times. He also did not make his presence felt in the final third.

Bruno Onyemaechi 6/10: Onyemaechi just did not look like a top player today. His connection with Simon on the left side of the pitch was lacking. His crosses also left a bitter taste in the mouth as he failed to create any big chance.

Raphael Onyedika 6.7/10: The Club Brugge star put in the energy in midfield. He also provided a good link with the forwards, but he did not do much in the attack.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 6.5/10: It was an average performance from the Lazio man. He was supposed to be the main outlet from midfield, but he failed to do much for the Super Eagles.

Kelechi Iheanacho 6/10: Iheanacho had a disappointing game. He started for the Super Eagles, but he failed to prove himself. He failed to create enough chances, and at times, he seemed to have even slowed down the attack.

Moses Simon 6.4/10: Simon is usually a live wire from the left, but he did not offer much today. His dribbling was not on point as usual, and he did not create much.

Victor Boniface 6/10: Boniface was one of the poor performers on the night. His scoreless run has obviously started getting into his head, and that impeded his decision making. His shooting was quite poor, and he did not make his presence felt in the box.

Samuel Chukwueze 8/10: The AC Milan star was just what the doctor ordered for Nigeria. His entrance into the game added some bite to the Super Eagles’ attack. He looked very sharp on the ball and he got Nigeria’s opening goal out of nowhere after waltzing past three Rwandan players.

Frank Onyeka 6.5/10: Onyeka had a decent showing for Nigeria. He made his presence felt in the middle of the park and broke play with intelligent fouls. However, his positioning was poor at times as he did not make himself available to link the defense to the attack.