Desperate for a win to revive their qualification hopes in Group C, Nigeria secured their first victory after five matches, climbing to six points and moving up to fourth place in the standings.
Early Dominance and Historic Goal
Despite the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame in the stands, the Super Eagles silenced the home crowd early. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a precise assist from Ademola Lookman. The goal marked a historic moment, as Osimhen became the first Super Eagles striker to score in Rwanda in nearly two decades.
Moses Simon came close to doubling the lead before halftime, but his effort was denied by a brilliant save from Rwanda’s goalkeeper. Moments later, a last-ditch clearance prevented Osimhen from adding a second, but Nigeria maintained relentless pressure.
Osimhen Seals the Win
Just before halftime, Osimhen struck again. A well-placed cross from Samuel Chukwueze found the Napoli striker, who expertly flicked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to complete his brace and put Nigeria firmly in control.
Rwanda’s Fightback Thwarted
Rwanda launched a fierce comeback in the second half, bombarding the Nigerian defense with attacks. However, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stood firm, making crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. The home side thought they had pulled one back in the 88th minute, but their goal was disallowed for offside.
Group C Standings Update
In other Group C matches, South Africa moved to the top of the table with 10 points after a 2-0 win over Lesotho. Benin climbed to second place with eight points following a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, while Rwanda dropped to third with seven points.
The victory marks a turning point for Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign, as they aim to build momentum in their quest for a spot in the 2026 tournament.