If hitting the crossbars was taken as goals scored, then the Home Eagles would have probably scored their most goals yet in any game.
It was nothing short of sheer luck for the Rwandan side in the second game of Group C in the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tangier, Morocco.
The matchup ended in a disheartening 0:0 stalemate, despite all attempts from Home Eagles to put in a goal.
The Eagles dominated all aspects of the game and came within an inch of goal at every of the many opportunities they created.
9 minutes after kick off, Sunday Faleye’s header would have been Nigeria’s first goal but like many other shots to come, it bounced off the crossbar.
Another close call in the 21st minute would have put the home Eagles ahead, but Anthony Okpotu’s header was several inches from goal as it flew over the crossbar after the Rwandan keeper’s failure to claim a long throw.
Rwanda’s first big moment at goal was in the 26th minute, but goalie Ikechukwu Ezenwa was fantastic in stopping the goal-bound shot.
After several goals sprawled that bore no fruit in the first half, you would think the next half would be much better for the Eagles, but this wasn’t the case at all.
In the 58th minute, Eze would have thought he had stopped the Eagles goal jinx, but his effort was ruled off as an offside.
All other attempts from the Eagles to put in in a goal proved very futile till the end of the game.
The Home Eagles will play their next match on Friday, 19th January against Group C leaders Libya who thrashed Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in the first game of the group.
Hopefully, the outcome of this game will be different in favour of the Eagles.
Featured Image Credit: Complete Sports Nigeria.com
