1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Abiodun Obafemi Criticises Super Eagles After Loss to Rwanda

Abiodun Obafemi, a member of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team, has criticised the lack of commitment shown by some Super Eagles players following their 2-1 loss to Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The match, played in Uyo on Monday, saw Nigeria, one of Africa’s top-ranked teams, lose to Rwanda, ranked 126th in the world. This surprising defeat came despite Nigeria already qualifying for the 2025 AFCON, which saw some key players missing from the squad.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen allowed Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman to return early to their clubs, while star striker Victor Osimhen started the match on the bench. This plan, meant to give less-experienced players a chance, backfired as Nigeria recorded their first-ever defeat to Rwanda.

Speaking to Brila FM, Obafemi expressed his disappointment and raised concerns about the players’ attitude.

“We expected so much from these guys because of how well they play for their clubs,” he said. “But when they come to Nigeria, they don’t perform the same way. It’s a big concern. They need to be competitive. I don’t understand why they are picking and choosing games.”

Nigeria’s next match against Rwanda in March will be part of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. After going winless in their first four games, the Super Eagles now face the challenge of winning their remaining six matches to qualify.

The team’s failure to secure a spot in the 2022 World Cup has added extra pressure on the players and coaching staff to perform in upcoming games.