The Super Eagles revived their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a tense Group C showdown.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare emerged as the match-winner, breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box and calmly slotting past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to hand Nigeria a crucial victory.
Both sides started the encounter cautiously, aware of the stakes at hand. Nigeria had gone into the game placed fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches, trailing leaders South Africa, who had extended their advantage to 16 points following a 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday.
The hosts were dealt a major blow in the first half when striker Victor Osimhen limped off with an ankle injury in the 36th minute after a challenge from a Rwandan defender. The Galatasaray forward had first gone down inside the box in the 27th minute but attempted to continue before collapsing again in visible distress. Medical staff treated him on the pitch before he was substituted for Cyril Dessers, leaving Osimhen visibly frustrated as ice was applied to his ankle on the sidelines.
Despite the setback, Nigeria continued to push forward but neither side could find the opener before the halftime whistle, with both adopting a cautious approach knowing that one mistake could decide the contest.
Six minutes after the restart, Arokodare seized his moment. Introduced as a substitute, the striker pounced during a crowded goalmouth scramble to fire home and give the Super Eagles the breakthrough they had been searching for.
Rwanda, managed by Adel Amrouche, responded with tactical changes and showed resilience, but the Nigerian defence, well marshalled by Calvin Bassey, stood firm and preserved the slender lead.
The Amavubi had begun the game in second place on eight points and were hoping to boost their dream of a maiden World Cup appearance. However, they could not find a way past Nigeria’s disciplined back line.
With the win, the Super Eagles leapfrogged Rwanda into third place on 10 points from seven matches. South Africa remain firmly at the top with 16 points, while Benin Republic sit second with 11 points after their triumph over Zimbabwe on Friday.
The result rekindles Nigeria’s hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup, to be staged across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, though South Africa’s commanding lead means the Super Eagles still face a daunting task.
Next up for Nigeria is a decisive away clash against the group leaders in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, a match that could further define their qualification prospects.
For coach Eric Chelle, the win provides a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the qualifiers, even as concern lingers over Osimhen’s injury, which could affect both Nigeria and his Turkish club side, Galatasaray.
