Nigeria have somewhat revived their 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualification hopes after they defeated Rwanda 1-0 in a Group C match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday evening.
While it was not the most fluid and convincing performance from the Super Eagles, they fully deserved the victory and find themselves third on the log – six points behind leaders South Africa and one point off the pace of second-placed Benin.
The Amavubi, meanwhile, suffered a third defeat of the campaign to drop to fourth place – two points behind the West African heavyweights.
Job done for the Super Eagles 🦅🇳🇬
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 6, 2025
They take ten points and winning momentum to Bloem for Tuesday's crunch clash against Bafana Bafana ⚽⏭️#SSDiski | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/4gsqS5OLVH
Nigeria endured a frustrating first 45 minutes as they found a very defensive Rwanda difficult to break down.
The Super Eagles thought they had claimed the lead in the eighth minute when Ademola Lookman’s cross-shot from the left was tucked home at close range by Victor Osimhen, but the strike was ruled out for a debatable offside.
Osimhen then succumbed to an injury past the half-hour mark, raising fears that he could miss the key clash against South Africa next week.
The prolific striker was replaced by Cyriel Dessers in the 35th minute.
Shortly thereafter, Alex Iwobi drew Rwanda’s Fiacre Ntwari into his only notable save of the first half as the goalkeeper tipped an ambitious long-range effort over the crossbar.
The hosts opted for another attacking change at the start of the second half, with Toluwalase Arokodare replacing midfielder Frank Onyeka.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward offered a physicality that Nigeria had been lacking up front and he was able to open the scoring in the 51st minute, bundling home a scuffed effort from Ola Aina while almost on the goal line.
Just over 10 minutes later, Rwanda goalkeeper Ntwari made a great double save to deny both Moses Simon and Lookman, keeping his team in the contest.
The Amavubi came out of their shells in the final 20 minutes of the match, finally offering a couple of threats to Stanley Nwabali.
Still, the Nigerian goalkeeper dealt with whatever was thrown at him with relative ease to see the hosts to victory.
The teams will return to Group C action next Tuesday, 9 September, with Nigeria playing South Africa in Bloemfontein, while Rwanda will tackle Zimbabwe in Johannesburg.
Nigeria (0) 1 (Arokodare 51’)
Rwanda 0
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, O. Aina (B. Osayi-Samuel 87’), C. Bassey, B. Fredrick, A. Iwobi, A. Lookman (F. Dele-Bashiru 75’), W. Ndidi, F. Onyeka (T. Arokodare 46’), B. Onyemaechi, V. Osimhen (C. Dessers 35’ [W. Troost-Ekong 87’]), M. Simon
Rwanda: F. Ntwari, D. Bizimana, A. Hamon (K. Muhire 46’), T. Manzi, K. Mbaya, B. Mugisha, G. Mugisha, A. Mutsinzi, C. Niyomugabo, I. Nshuti (A. Biramahire 78’), F. Omborenga (J. Kwizera 54’)
