Nigeria picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday but the Super Eagles’ celebrations were overshadowed by an injury to Victor Osimhen.
The Napoli forward limped off in the 35th minute after looking sharp early on, forcing coach Finidi George to bring on Cyriel Dessers. His absence will be a major concern for Nigeria, with a decisive showdown against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana just days away.
Osimhen Denied Early, Ntwari Shines
Osimhen thought he had opened the scoring inside 10 minutes after slotting home from an Ademola Lookman pass, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, he was denied again as Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari pulled off a stunning save to keep Rwanda level.
Ntwari, who has struggled for game time at club level, was in inspired form throughout the match, frustrating the Super Eagles with several top-class stops that kept the Amavubi in the contest.
Arokodare Breaks the Deadlock
Nigeria finally broke through in the 51st minute when Emmanuel Arokodare bundled the ball home to give the hosts a deserved lead. Despite constant pressure from the Super Eagles, Ntwari ensured Rwanda avoided a heavier defeat with his sharp reflexes between the posts.
The game also saw tempers flare in the 25th minute, with Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti both booked after a heated confrontation.
Group C Standings Heat Up
The victory lifted Nigeria to third place in Group C with 10 points trailing leaders South Africa on 16 points and Benin on 11. Rwanda sit fourth with eight points, while Lesotho and Zimbabwe occupy the bottom spots.
Next up, the Super Eagles face a crucial away trip to South Africa in what could prove to be the defining clash of their World Cup qualifying campaign. With Osimhen’s fitness now in doubt, Finidi George’s men may have to find alternative firepower to keep their Qatar 2026 hopes alive.