Blame It On The Rain: Eguavoen attributes Eagles, Cheetahs draw to heavy downpour

Rwanda, Eagles Arrive In Uyo, NFF Condoles Bereaved Nwabali

Super Eagles’ Interim Manager, Austin Eguavoen, has blamed the heavy downpour in Abidjan on Thursday for Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Benin Republic took the lead in the 17th minute of the game through Mohammed Tijani, while Victor Osimhen equalised in the 81st minute to ensure that the Super Eagles got something out of the game.

Speaking after the game, Eguavoen said his team found it difficult to operate in the first half due to the rain, saying the Eagles adjusted and played better in the second half.

“It was a tough game, and I congratulate the players for a spirited display in the second half that earned us the equaliser,” Eguavoen remarked. “The downpour made the game difficult for both teams, but I am happy we have the AFCON finals ticket in the bag ahead of the final game of the series against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles and final-day opponents, Rwanda, have both landed at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo ahead of Monday’s Matchday 6 clash in the concluding round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Deflated but not altogether supine, the Amavubi still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, though the supposition is not actually in their favour. They missed a big opportunity to enhance their chances when losing at home to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday, and can only make it to Morocco 2025 if they defeat Nigeria in Uyo and Libya are victorious against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday.

The Super Eagles, confirmed group winners, have nothing to chase other than national pride, and will play a more relaxed game against the visitors than the turgid contest with the Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday night.

Nigeria’s delegation flew from the Ivoirian capital, Abidjan, to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, arriving at 3.50pm.

Rwanda’s delegation flew from Kigali to Lagos aboard a regular Rwandair flight, arriving at 1.00 pm, before boarding an Ibom Air flight to Uyo. They landed in Uyo just before 5pm.

Uyo’s magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium is the venue, and a carnival atmosphere is expected as the Super Eagles celebrate for 90 minutes and afterwards with the AFCON ticket long in the bag.

Both countries battled to a scoreless draw in their first confrontation in Kigali in September, though the jury is still out on Ademola Lookman’s first-half headed goal that was inexplicably chalked off by the Moroccan referee.

Incidentally, another Moroccan will be in the role of referee on Monday. 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz takes the stage in the centre at the game that kicks off at 5.00 p.m.

Guezzaz alongside his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2) and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official) are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria today, same as Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).

In a related development, The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commiserated with Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who lost his father yesterday morning.

The South Africa-based Nwabali announced the sad news on his Instagram page yesterday. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the demise of Stanley Nwabali’s father. Coming a day after the player featured in the match that won us the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket, it made for a day of low morale as we flew from Abidjan to Uyo.

“The death of a parent is always a thing of deep sorrow and sadness. However, we want Stanley to take heart in the fruitful and fulfilled life that his father lived, and we pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant Stanley and other members of the family the fortitude to bear the big loss.”