Nigeria and Rwanda stifled themselves to a scoreless draw at a refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, however the Tremendous Eagles retain management of their qualifying group courtesy of the 3-0 whiplash of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday. Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, enjoying the Cheetahs in Abidjan some hours later, would solely be capable of dislodge the Eagles in the event that they gained by three targets.

The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between each groups in Kigali, as Nigeria compelled a 1-1 attract a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match additionally on the Amahoro, and each groups drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier on the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen made just one change from the squad that began in opposition to the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi.

Defender Bruno Onyemaechi ought to have put Nigeria forward after solely three minutes, however he miscued his shot after an incredible go by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Tremendous Eagles’ defence as the sport wore on, however Nigeria may have been up by a aim after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the web. However Moroccan referee Karim Sabry dominated {that a} Nigerian participant had pushed a defender within the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a wonderful alternative within the 25^th minute, and within the 37^th minute, Onyemaechi didn’t capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced again into play.

4 minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, entering into scoring positions simply, headed huge when he acquired a cross from the precise by Olaoluwa Aina.

Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera may have put the Wasps in entrance on 68^th minutes as the house boys broke ahead, however his shot flew away from aim. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was nearly celebrating a aim, solely to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, however goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into security.

Substitute Raphael Onyedika may have struck within the 89^th minute, however once more, Ntwari was readily available to dam his shot, simply as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time.

The Eagles will subsequent confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.