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Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria's interim coach, has disclosed the real reason behind Samuel Chukwueze's substitution in the second half.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria played a goalless draw against Rwanda in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Chukwueze, who was named in the starting lineup, was substituted at halftime, with Nantes winger Moses Simon replacing him.
The team failed to utilise their chances, despite having nine shots on target and were denied by the Rwanda goalkeeper.
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Eguavoen speaks on Chukwueze’s substitution
The interim coach has provided an explanation for Chukwueze's substitution at Stade Amahoro in Kigali during the post-match press conference.
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Eguavoen said, "He's very good, he's one of our good players. Today, we came up with a strategy, he got a yellow card and he was tormenting you guys.
"We had three players on yellow cards so it's kind of a risk also. We have to make some substitutions and we have players who can go forward also.
"We thought Chukwueze should rest not because he's not playing well, because of the risk of getting a second yellow card."
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Eguavoen has stated unequivocally that the AC Milan player's replacement was necessary due to his delicate disciplinary situation rather than his play.
He decided to replace the number 11 at halftime after Chukwueze received a yellow card in the 26th minute for disagreeing with Moroccan referee Karim Sabry.
Chukwueze faced the possibility of receiving a second yellow card for a tackle or more if he had stayed on the pitch.
Nigeria leads Group D in the AFCON qualification race with four points, followed by Gernot Rohr's Benin, who defeated Libya in Abidjan.
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