Nigeria’s Super Eagles, on Friday, defeated Rwanda 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers to revive the team’s hopes of making it to the global competition.
Victor Osimhen’s brace in the first half secured the Super Eagles their first victory in the qualifiers, earning them three crucial points.
The Galatasaray forward’s goals came in the 11th minute and the 3rd minute of added time in the first half. His first was a beauty, as he connected with an in-swinging freekick from the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, using his right foot to beat the goalkeeper.
The second came after Osimhen made a solo run, winning the ball in the center of the pitch and driving forward to delicately chip it over the Rwandan goalkeeper’s head.
The win lifted Nigeria from 5th to 4th on the table with 6 points, just one point behind Rwanda (7 points), two points behind second-placed Benin Republic, and four points behind leaders South Africa, who sit on 10 points.
Looking at the Group C table, the Super Eagles still face a tough challenge in securing an automatic ticket for the 2026 World Cup. However, the win against Rwanda marks a strong start for new coach Eric Chelle.
The Malian manager fielded a strong side, with star attackers Osimhen and Lookman leading the attack, supported by Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon. In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Alex Iwobi of Fulham controlled the game for Nigeria.
Defenders Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong partnered at the back, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali kept a clean sheet. Bright Osayi-Samuel rounded out the starting eleven for Chelle’s team.
Next, Nigeria will host Zimbabwe in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, hoping to secure another three points to climb further up the table.
