The 2026 World Cup qualification prospects of Nigeria have been reinvigorated following a 2-0 triumph over Rwanda on matchday five, courtesy of a Victor Osimhen brace.
The Super Eagles were under considerable pressure to secure a vital win in Kigali on Friday afternoon, as they languished in fifth place in Group C – five points shy of the automatic qualification spot – having failed to emerge victorious in their first four matches.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s away record against Rwanda had been barren for nearly two decades, rendering this match a crucial test for Eric Chelle, the new manager, who took the reins at the beginning of the year, succeeding Augustine Eguavoen.
Chelle selected a formidable starting XI, featuring several players boasting Premier League expeaccount
Ola Aina assumed the left-back role, while Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi formed a midfield partnership, and Calvin Bassey continued to pair with captain William Troost-Ekong in central defence.
Notably, the game’s opening goal arose from a combination of a player rumoured to return to England this summer and another player strongly linked with a Premier League transfer.
Following Ademola Lookman’s free-kick, Osimhen astutely positioned himself at the back post, expecting a precise delivery, and scored effortlessly from close range, thereby commencing his World Cup qualification scoring account.
The visitors were decisively the better side, both prior to and after the goal. Troost-Ekong had chances to shine when picked out by Lookman at corners, whereas Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari made a spectacular finger-tip save to deny Moses Sihalf
However, on the cusp of half-time, Osimhen doubled the lead, deftly pilfering the ball from his marker, surging through, and delivering a delightfully dinked finish over Ntwari, thus confronting the hosts with a formidable uphill battle in the second half.
Rwanda had emerged victorious in the previous encounter between the two nations in November, but they were unable to replicate that performance as Nigeria comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to secure their first win of the qualification campaign.
This result, coupled with South Africa’s win over Lesotho, resulted in Rwanda dropping one place to third. Nigeria, meanwhile, moved up to fourth and now trail their opponents by a single point as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in a crucial fixture next week.
