The Super Eagles of Nigeria revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Thursday.
The breakthrough came in the 51st minute when striker Tolu Arokodare reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, calmly finishing past the Rwandan goalkeeper to hand Nigeria a priceless lead.
The first half had ended goalless, with both sides cautious and probing for weaknesses. Nigeria’s backline, anchored by Calvin Bassey, stayed disciplined against Rwanda’s second-half tactical adjustments, ensuring the visitors had few clear chances.
There was, however, a major setback for Nigeria as Victor Osimhen limped off injured in the first half, forcing head coach Finidi George to introduce Cyril Dessers. Despite losing their talisman, the Eagles pushed forward relentlessly and held their ground until the final whistle.
With the win, Nigeria now sits on 10 points from seven games, edging ahead of Rwanda who remain on 8 points in Group C. The group remains fiercely contested as qualification for the 2026 World Cup reaches a crucial stage.
The victory sparked excitement among fans on social media, with many hailing the team’s resilience while voicing concern over Osimhen’s fitness ahead of the next fixtures.
The Super Eagles will now look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches as they continue the fight for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
