The Super Eagles breathed new life into their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda on matchday five, thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen.
Heading into Friday’s fixture at the Stade Amahoro, Nigeria was in dire need of a win, sitting in fifth place in Group C—five points adrift of the automatic qualification spot.
Their winless start to the campaign had intensified the pressure, compounded by the fact that they had not scored an away goal against Rwanda in nearly 20 years.
The match marked the managerial debut of Eric Chelle, who took over from Augustine Eguavoen earlier this year.
Chelle fielded a formidable starting XI packed with Premier League experience. Ola Aina was deployed at left-back, while Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi anchored the midfield.
In central defense, Calvin Bassey partnered captain William Troost-Ekong, a former Watford standout.
The breakthrough arrived via a perfectly executed set piece. Ademola Lookman’s precise free-kick found Osimhen at the back post, and the Napoli striker capitalized on the opportunity to register his first goal in the qualifiers.
Nigeria maintained control for most of the match, with Troost-Ekong coming close twice from Lookman’s corners.
Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, was called into action, producing a superb fingertip save to deny Moses Simon.
Just before the half-time whistle, Osimhen struck again. Anticipating his marker, he snatched possession, sprinted towards goal, and produced a deft chip over Ntwari to extend Nigeria’s lead, leaving the hosts with an uphill battle in the second half.
Rwanda, who had claimed a win in the reverse fixture last November, found no way back this time.
The Super Eagles managed the game efficiently, securing their first win of the qualification series.
Elsewhere in Group C, South Africa’s victory over Lesotho saw Rwanda slip to third place.
Meanwhile, Nigeria climbed to fourth, now just one point behind their next opponents, Zimbabwe, setting up another crucial showdown next week.
