2018 CHAN: Nigeria's Home-bases Eagles Go Barren Against Rwanda in First Group C Match

The home-based Super Eagles started their campaign at the CHAN 2018 tournament on a disappointing note as they could only record a barren draw in the group opener in Tangier on Monday night.

With as much as 24 shots from the Super Eagles and just four from Rwanda, the ball just chose not to go into the net in Monday night’s game.

The Super Eagles hit the woodwork thrice as they dominated play from start to finish but they would have themselves to blame for not making the best use of the chances that came their way.

First Half
Sunday Faleye almost gave Nigeria the lead in the 9th minute when jumped very high to connect a cross from Ogbuh but his header hit the crossbar and Anthony Okpotu could not the rebound.
The 19-year old came close again in the 20th minute when Rabiu Alli gave him a defense splitting pass but the Rwanda keeper rushed out to force away.


Moments later ir was Okpotu that came close but his looping header went just over the net
After soaking the most of the pressure, Rwanda did press forward and they had a decent effort in the 25th minute but goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa made an easy catch.

Faleye who had been a major threat against the Rwanda defense won a free kick for Nigeria just outside the box but Osas Okoro’s effort could not go beyond the strong wall mounted by the Amavubi
Nigeria’s chance to break the deadlock was fluffed again as unmarked Stephen Eze headed wide from a corner kick in the 36th.

Another glaring chance came the way for the Super Eagles yet again as Osas Okoro played a teasing cross that forced the Rwanda keeper to punch the ball towards Rabiu Alli but the player could not keep the ball down.

Ali made up with a better effort from almost 35 yards but it was hit the cross bar yet again.
The flurry of missed chances continued in the second half as the game ended in a barren draw to the delight of the Rwanda team who will face Equatorial Guinea in the next round of games while Nigeria face table toppers, Libya.