Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali. Leading the charge was Victor Osimhen, who marked his return from injury with a stunning brace in the first half.
The Napoli forward, currently on loan at Galatasaray, wasted no time making his presence felt, breaking the deadlock just 10 minutes into the game.
Osimhen capitalized on an inch-perfect free-kick from Ademola Lookman, finishing with a well-taken half-volley at the far post.
The goal was a showcase of Nigeria’s attacking prowess, with Lookman—Africa’s newly crowned Footballer of the Year—assisting his predecessor Osimhen in a moment of pure class.
Despite Nigeria’s struggles in the qualifiers, moments like these underline the squad’s immense quality and raise questions about their earlier setbacks.
If Osimhen’s first goal was a demonstration of precision, his second was sheer brilliance.
With Rwanda pressing forward, energized by the presence of President Paul Kagame in the stands, Osimhen intercepted the ball near the halfway line, sprinted past defenders, and expertly chipped it over the onrushing Rwandan goalkeeper just before halftime.
The Super Eagles held firm in the second half, resisting Rwanda’s attempts to claw back into the game. With this victory, Eric Chelle, Nigeria’s new coach, starts his tenure on a high note, giving fans hope for a turnaround in the qualifiers.
The win moves Nigeria to fourth place in Group C with six points, setting the stage for another crucial encounter against Zimbabwe on March 25 at the Goodwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Nigerian fans will be eager to see more of the same from Osimhen and the Super Eagles as they continue their push for World Cup qualification.