Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has taken responsibility for Nigeria’s defensive frailties that allowed the Amavubi of Rwanda to come from behind and secure a shock 2-1 victory over the three-time African champions in Monday’s final Group D match of the Maroc 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Completesports.com reports.
This comes despite the centre-back being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game, earning a $1,000 cash prize from the award organisers, Premium Bank.
Similarly, Samuel Chukwueze, who scored Nigeria’s only goal, was awarded the Man of the Match (MOTM) prize, taking home a princely sum of $2,000.
Also Read: AFCON 2025Q: ‘I Feel Sad; Super Eagles Played Below Standard Against Rwanda’ –Eguavoen
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Troost-Ekong admitted that the Super Eagles’ defence, along with the entire team, was not as sharp or as effective as expected.
“Yes, you’re right, and I take responsibility,” Troost-Ekong began, particularly referencing the Amavubi’s equaliser, scored by Angel Mutsinzi with a low header from a free-kick.
“As captain and the last man at the back, I know we should have done better. But don’t forget, free kicks, like other set-piece situations, can trouble any team, and I think that’s what happened today. So, I take responsibility.”
The Super Eagles’ slack marking was also evident when Innocent Nshuti found space amidst a crowded defence to score Rwanda’s match-winner 15 minutes before full-time.
Also Read: ‘Proud We Beat Super Eagles, But Sad We Missed 2025 AFCON’ —Rwanda Coach Spittler
Troost-Ekong expressed bitter disappointment over the defeat, lamenting that it dashed the team’s hopes of finishing the qualifiers on a high note and giving the fans a ‘thank you’ victory.
“We’re all sad and disappointed. We set out to win this last game to thank and appreciate our fans for their support. We also wanted to preserve our unbeaten run and achieve a clean sheet finish,” he said.
“But none of these came to pass. We’ve accepted the outcome and must move forward,” Troost-Ekong concluded.
By Sab Osuji, in Uyo
27 Comments
Eguavoen is far worse than other coaches. He failed. Let’s get a better coach
sharap dere useless defender ms arar kundiee nonense and stoopid lmaaoo
Eguavoen is not less batter but even more breadcrumbs. He will taste good with some triple fried chips. Let’s order that from the Chinese permanently.
The problem of this players is the set piece the super eagles need a tactical coach that can work on the mindset of this players.
The problem is deploying zonal marking instead of using man-to-man marking.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Okoye and Boni spoilers. I don’t see Coach Eguaveon inviting them for the remaining WC qualifiers.
Eguavoen is far better than other coaches. He passed. Let’s give him the job permanently
Eguavoen is far better than other coaches. He passed. Let’s give him the job permanently
What make equafon very. Coach we love ke to deceive each other pls check other team coach by foreign coach you will like football our own is tensio we you watch us playing Benin and Rwandan with all ou star player
He gave Eguaveon the job so we keep keeping quiet or at best hide behind online handles to be making noise some noise. I want amumuniké over the burning rooftops there.
Which one is burning rooftops? Tell him to first quench that.
Mumu is concerned about SE coach kowë.
They no born am well. He will sit at home there. Lmfaoo
He also said they must continue to keep their fingers crossed. Something wey smell like rotten dead bodies in abaaa.
We need a set piece coach football has eloped now, even striker coach is needed, once Osimhen is not playing you begin to wonder were the goals will come from.
Eloped? Na wa oh lol Shit make we switch to dey watch volleyball then lol
What happened to the traditional of putting one defender each at the edges of each post , supporting the goalkeeper…every time they concede during set pieces
The problem is deploying zonal marking instead of using man-to-man marking. Secondly any player whose tactical awareness defensively is not good should not have any business inside post defending set pieces
Singer, give us second base, o’jarie.
They, hhe made us to keep keeping our fingers crossed, the people that put Eguaveon will never allow some rust like siasia or the fluke called amumuniké. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,.. lololol o
Ha ha ha, take am easy na. Abi you be real or fake Naija? That wasn’t even an important match. True true and if I was the Super Eagles of ‘NIGERIA’ coach, I would’ve allow my boys to rest, all of them, then call it walk over in favour of the Rwandians.
You are not serious.
..Lolo…. LMFAO
Then tell online space who is he that’s keeping you glued to your internet to be making infantile noise everyday.
S.E. fans, unna work now is to begin thinking of next year matches, how coach Eguaveon will deploy Osimhen, Simon, Lookman upfront. Then in the middle, Yussuf, Dele, Frank. And then CBs/defense, Osayi, Ekong, Bassey; keeper Nwabali or try Obasogie.
This your nexy year line up for Eguaveon is / -/
Yes na, Egu to the WC. Hihihihi laphing in esan tone.
Hujuhu! Glued to complete sport of NIGERIA ni.
Trust Ekong is the weakest link in that defence. He doesn’t exude confidence from the back beside his leadership. He should be a non playing motivational Captain.
What happened to Akpoguma and the Getafe guy? Eguaiola has no business with that team. Not even as a Ball boy.