Victor Osimhen’s brace propels Nigeria to a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda, reigniting their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. The Super Eagles, under new manager Eric Chelle, showed resilience and skill, marking their first win in the ongoing qualifiers and moving closer to automatic qualification positions.
Nigeria’s pursuit of 2026 World Cup qualification has gained momentum after a decisive 2-0 victory over Rwanda on matchday five, with Victor Osimhen scoring both goals. The Super Eagles faced significant pressure to secure the win, entering the match in fifth place in Group C and five points away from an automatic qualification position, having previously failed to secure wins in their initial four matches.
Under the new management of Eric Chelle, who succeeded Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria aimed to break a nearly twenty-year scoring drought when playing away in Rwanda. Chelle fielded a robust starting lineup, including players with Premier League experience, such as Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Calvin Bassey, among others.
The opening goal came from a precise free-kick delivery by Ademola Lookman, allowing Osimhen to capitalize from close range. Following this initial score, Nigeria dominated the game. Notably, Troost-Ekong had two opportunities from Lookman’s corners, and Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, delivered an impressive save to deny Moses Simon.
Osimhen extended Nigeria’s lead just before half-time by intercepting the ball from a defender and executing a delightful lob over the goalkeeper. Nigeria maintained control throughout the second half, preventing Rwanda from replicating their previous victory over them. The win marks Nigeria’s first in their World Cup qualification campaign, moving them within striking distance of a higher group position as they prepare for an upcoming match against Zimbabwe.
In summary, Nigeria’s victory against Rwanda revitalizes their World Cup qualification hopes, marked by Victor Osimhen’s standout performance. The Super Eagles demonstrated resilience under new management, showcasing their Premier League talent. Moving forward, they are positioned to improve in Group C as they confront Zimbabwe in their next critical match.
Original Source: www.standard.co.uk
