Victor Osimhen was the shining star for Nigeria as he led the Super Eagles to a crucial 2-0 win over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, keeping their dreams of reaching the global stage alive. The victory, achieved at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, was Nigeria’s first in the campaign after a series of frustrating draws and one loss.
Osimhen, making his much-anticipated return to the qualifiers after missing previous matches due to injury, played a pivotal role in getting the Super Eagles’ campaign back on track. His brace, including a stunning finish just before halftime, not only sealed the win but injected new hope into the team’s World Cup ambitions.
After a shaky start to the qualifiers, where they drew three and lost one, Nigeria now stands with 6 points, in 4th place—just four points behind the new group leaders, South Africa. The Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho pushed them to the top of the standings, with Benin Republic holding onto second place with 8 points after their 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe.
In the early moments of the match, the Super Eagles took control, applying immediate pressure on Rwanda. It took just 11 minutes for Osimhen to get on the scoresheet, as he clinically slammed home a well-placed set piece from Ademola Lookman. Less than a minute later, Rwanda had a close call when an attempted clearance from one of their players almost turned into an own goal.
Despite the early lead, the Super Eagles kept the pressure up, with William Troost-Ekong and Moses Simon both coming close to increasing the score. However, Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, was in fine form, denying Simon’s curling effort in the 25th minute.
As the first half was nearing its close, Osimhen turned up once again to seal the victory. Following a header from Samuel Chukwueze, Osimhen pounced on the rebound, dinking the ball over Ntwari in the dying seconds of the first half to make it 2-0.
In the second half, Rwanda pushed for a comeback, with a few dangerous attempts, but Nigeria’s defense remained resolute. Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was called into action, saving a header from Rwanda in the 49th minute, and later parrying away a powerful effort from Bright Osayi-Samuel in the 51st minute.
As the game went on, Nigeria made tactical changes, with Chukwueze and Ola Aina coming off for Raphael Onyedika and Bruno Onyemaechi in the 67th minute. However, Rwanda’s chances of finding a goal were further hindered when their effort in the 89th minute was ruled offside.
The Super Eagles’ victory was a vital step toward securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, but their journey is far from over. Their next challenge comes on Tuesday, March 25, as they face Zimbabwe at home in Uyo—a must-win match if they are to stay within striking distance of the top spots.
As the World Cup race heats up, Nigeria’s Super Eagles can take pride in their resilience and Osimhen’s match-winning performance. The road ahead may be tough, but this victory has given them the momentum they need to continue fighting for a place on the world stage.
