Yobo sets new record as Super Eagles draw

Nigeria's Super Eagles and their Rwandan counterparts, the Wasps, played out a goalless draw in a 2013 Afcon qualifying in Kigali on Wednesday.

Stephen Keshi in his first competitive game as Nigeria manager opted for three local-based stars, Ejike Uzoenyi, Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwuekwe in his starters to underscore his faith in them.

Rwanda head coach, Milutin Sredojevic, who has had an impressive run since taking charge in November 2011, started with Oliver Karekezi and Meddie Kagere in attack.

The West Africans started off fastest with Enugu Rangers' left winger, Ejike Uzoenyi pulling most of the strings.

Keshi's men were livelier in the opening 20 minutes.

Uzoenyi's darting runs down the left flank caused the defence of the Wasps torrid times.

On 11 minutes, Peter Osaze Odemwingie squeezed a shot on target from the right flank but his effort was saved Rwandan goalkeeper, Jean Claude Ndori.

By the quarter of an hour, it was apparent that the Nigerians were on top of the game with two shots on target and two corner kicks won against Rwanda's none.

However, 32 minutes into the game Uzoenyi came close to putting Nigeria into the lead with a header before Ndori tipped it off and Jonas Nahimana cleared his lines.

Sredojevic in the second half brought on 26-year-old Kamana Bokota, who plays for Rayon Sports and the switch paid off as Rwanda went on the ascendancy.

It was Bokota's cross from the left channel that Meddie Kagere shot wide from close range to leave score at goalless.

Keshi later sent on Ikechukwu Uche, Reuben Gabriel and also capped Wigan's Victor Moses to put an end to speculation on his international future as Odemwingie, Dickson Etuhu and Ahmed Musa respectively gave way.

Granada CF striker, Uche found the back of the net within minutes of coming on but his effort was rightly struck off for offside by South African referee, Daniel Bennett.

Moses' introduction sparked life into the Nigerian attack.

Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo, who won his 87th appearance to become the nation's most capped men's footballer, missed the chance to win his side the points minutes to time.

The second leg between both teams is expected to hold in Nigeria on the weekend of June 15 and 17, 2012