Deborah Akinyosoye
Nigeria recorded their first win of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday, thanks to a brace from striker Victor Osimhen which secured a 2-0 victory over Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
The Galatasaray striker netted two first half goals to mark his first involvement in the qualifying series and also took his national team tally to 25 goals, displacing Segun Odegbami to become Nigeria’s second all-time scorer behind the late Rashidi Yekini.
After giving the team an injury scare when he fell on his hands in the opening minute of the game, Osimhen grabbed the first goal in the 11th minute, getting to the end of a lofty free kick from Ademola Lookman and turned the ball home with a perfect touch at the far post for Nigeria’s lead.
He doubled the team’s advantage on the stroke of halftime, slotting past the Rwandan goalkeeper after beating a defender to a pass.
Chances were few and far between in the second half of the game, with Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali rarely tested.
It was also coach Eric Chelle’s first game in charge and the Franco-Malian coach began his reign with a win, which marked Nigeria’s first over Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in 20 years.
With the result, Nigeria moved just a spot in the table, occupying the fourth position with six points after five matches.
The Super Eagles are still behind Rwanda (third with seven points) as well as the Benin Republic (second with eight points).
South Africa lead the African qualifying Group C with 10 points, thanks to their 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday as well.
Following their poor start to the series, which saw them draw three and lose one in their first four games, Nigeria’s hopes of reviving their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada were hinged on winning their remaining games in the series.
After the win against Rwanda, the Super Eagles will return home for their next game against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.
Nigeria’s next opponent, Zimbabwe are bottom of the group with three points.