In a crucial World Cup qualifying match at the Amahoro National Stadium, Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 2-0 victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars, significantly boosting their qualification aspirations.
The match commenced with Nigeria asserting dominance.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 11th minute when Victor Osimhen, exhibiting his striking prowess, connected with Ademola Lookman’s precise cross to volley home the opener.
Despite Rwanda’s attempts to counter, Nigeria’s defence remained resolute.
Just before halftime, Osimhen capitalized on a defensive lapse, intercepting a pass and deftly chipping the ball over goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari in the 45+3 minute, securing his second goal of the match.
The second half saw Rwanda intensify their offensive efforts, but it struggled to penetrate Nigeria’s well-organized defence.
The Super Eagles maintained control, ensuring the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.
This victory propels Nigeria to fourth place in Group C with six points, trailing South Africa (10 points), Benin Republic (8 points), and Rwanda (7 points).
With only the group winners guaranteed a spot in the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures are pivotal for their qualification hopes.
Post-match, Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, praised his team’s performance, highlighting Osimhen’s clinical finishing as a key factor in the win.
Conversely, Rwanda’s coach, Adel Amrouche, acknowledged the challenge posed by Nigeria and emphasized the need for his team to regroup ahead of their next match.
As the qualifiers progress, Nigeria aims to build on this momentum to secure their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Rwanda remains determined to challenge for qualification in the remaining fixtures.