Nigeria’s Super Eagles bolstered their chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win against Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars at the Amahoro National Stadium.
The visitors wasted no time in taking control of the match, pressing forward from the start.
Their attacking intent paid off in the 11th minute when Victor Osimhen latched onto a well-placed cross from Ademola Lookman and struck the ball past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Rwanda attempted to respond but found it difficult to break through Nigeria’s compact defense.
Just before halftime, a defensive mistake by the hosts allowed Osimhen to pounce on a loose pass, and he skillfully chipped the ball over goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari in stoppage time (45+3), doubling Nigeria’s lead.
Despite Rwanda increasing their attacking efforts in the second half, Nigeria’s disciplined backline held firm, preventing the hosts from finding a breakthrough.
The Super Eagles managed the game well until the final whistle, ensuring they secured all three points.
With this result, Nigeria now sits in fourth place in Group C with six points, behind South Africa (10 points), Benin Republic (8 points), and Rwanda (7 points).
Only the top team in the group is guaranteed a spot at the World Cup, making Nigeria’s upcoming matches crucial in their bid for qualification.
Following the game, Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, commended his team’s effort and praised Osimhen for his decisive contributions.
On the other hand, Rwanda’s coach, Adel Amrouche, admitted his side faced a tough challenge and emphasized the need for improvement before their next fixture.
As the qualifiers continue, Nigeria will be eager to build on this victory, while Rwanda will look to recover and stay in contention for a World Cup berth.