Jojea Kwizera and Alhassan Yusuf Face Off on International Stage
The two New England-based players went head-to-head when Rwanda and Nigeria faced off in World Cup Qualifying action!
Friday saw two New England-based players go head to head on the international stage as Rhode Island FC’s Jojea Kwizera and Rwanda faced New England Revolution midfielder Alhassan Yusuf and Nigeria in World Cup Qualifying action.
Kwizera got the start for Rwanda, while Alhassan Yusuf started on the bench for Nigeria.
It only took Nigeria 11 minutes to get onto the score sheet. It began with Ademola Lookman lobbing a free kick from the left flank into the box to a wide-open Victor Osimhen. The striker volleyed a shot past Fiacre Ntwari and into the net to give Nigeria the 1-0 lead.
Osimhen struck again right before halftime as he ran onto a loose ball and touched it forward to evade the reach of Rwanda’s defense. The striker turned on the jets, darted down the right flank, and found himself one-on-one against Ntwari and Osimhen tapped it up and over the keeper as it bounced into the net to give Nigeria a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
The 78th minute saw Yusuf enter the game as he replaced Bright Osayi-Samuel. The 83rd minute saw Kwizera's day end as he was replaced by Jean Bosco Ruboneka.
Yusuf and Nigeria will wrap up the window on Tuesday with a meeting against Zimbabwe. Kwizera and Rwanda will conclude the window on Tuesday with a meeting against Lesotho.
The connections we get through this game from New England to the rest of the world is a blessing that soccer brings into our lives. This also why more soccer brings a better life.