Super Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has shed light on the decision to substitute Wilfred Ndidi during Nigeria’s goalless draw against Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ndidi, a key midfielder for Leicester City, was taken off 20 minutes before the end of the game, raising eyebrows as Nigeria searched for a winning goal. The Foxes’ star had been one of the best performers on the pitch, creating Nigeria’s first major chance of the second half with a precise pass to Moses Simon, whose effort went wide.
Despite his solid performance, Eguavoen opted to bring on Frank Onyeka, a box-to-box midfielder, to replace Ndidi. The substitution surprised many, especially given how crucial the remaining minutes were for Nigeria to secure three points.
In the post-match conference, Eguavoen explained the reasoning behind the change, stating that the team needed more energy and attacking drive at that stage. “We were all over the place, and even though we were keeping possession, we weren’t creating enough threats,” Eguavoen said.
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He went on to elaborate on Ndidi’s efforts, noting that the midfielder had worked hard throughout the match. “Ndidi had done a lot, and to keep up the intensity, we needed to inject fresh energy into the team. That’s why we brought Onyeka on.”
Eguavoen emphasized Onyeka’s versatility and energy as the key reasons for the change. “Onyeka is a true box-to-box player, and we needed someone who could not only help us in defense but also push forward. He wasn’t told to sit back. You could see him making runs past the opponents. He has a lot of energy and can cover both ends of the pitch.”
The coach credited Onyeka for his contributions after coming on, stating that the midfielder added a dynamic presence by surging forward to support attacks while also tracking back to defend against counterattacks. Although Nigeria failed to find the net, Onyeka’s energy helped the team maintain pressure in the final stages of the game.
In summary, Eguavoen’s decision to replace Ndidi was a strategic move to bring more energy and balance into the team, as the Super Eagles aimed to break down Rwanda’s defense.
