Super Eagles vs Rwanda: No VAR, Poor Reshow, Football in the Dark Ages

 

By Abioye Tosin Lawrence

Nigeria’s Super Eagles stepped onto the Godswill Akpabio Stadium turf in Uyo today with one mission: to revive their World Cup qualifying hopes against Rwanda. But instead of being defined by football artistry, the fixture is fast becoming a sad reminder of Africa’s footballing backwardness.

At the heart of the matter is technology, or the lack of it. In 2025, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, there is no Video Assistant Referee (VAR). In a contest where points and qualification dreams hang in the balance, the players and fans are left at the mercy of referees whose human errors cannot be corrected. It is football justice reduced to chance.

But the embarrassment does not stop there. Fans watching at home and in the stadium are treated to poor broadcast quality: shaky camera work, bad angles, and replays so unclear they barely serve their purpose. When critical decisions arise, the “reshow” fails to clarify anything, it only deepens the frustration. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a disgrace at this level of competition.

The Super Eagles, currently battling for survival in their group, deserve more. African football deserves more. When the rest of the world has moved forward with cutting-edge officiating tools and high-definition broadcasts, why should Africa’s biggest stage still feel like a throwback to the 1990s?

For Nigerian football, the absence of VAR and poor reshow is more than a technicality, it is a reflection of structural neglect. The same administrators who promise transformation deliver half measures, and the continent’s talents are left to compete under shadows.

Today’s clash against Rwanda is not just a qualifier; it is a test of credibility. Until CAF rises to the responsibility of modern football, Africa will continue to showcase world-class players under third-rate conditions. And for fans who give their hearts to the game, this is nothing short of betrayal.