Osimhen’s Double Secures Win For Nigeria Against Rwanda

A double from in-form striker Victor Osimhen secured a 2-0 win against Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

The visitors made a dream start as Osimhen peeled away to the back post to meet Ademola Lookman’s superb free-kick and break the deadlock after just 11 minutes. A great save from Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari denied Moses Simon from doubling the lead, whilst William Troost-Ekong twice went close from corners.

On the stroke of half-time, Osimhen raced through to add his second of the afternoon, leaving Rwanda with a huge mountain to climb as the match ended 2-0 to Nigeria.

Nigeria now has six (6) points from five games and sits in fourth place on the table, while Rwanda is third with 7 points. South Africa leads Group C with 10 points from 5 games, followed by Benin in second place with 8 points. Lesotho is in fifth place with 6 points, while Zimbabwe is last with 3 points.

Background: Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Struggles

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a challenging one for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria entered this qualification campaign with high expectations but has struggled to meet them. Before this match, the Super Eagles had yet to win a game, recording three draws and one loss in their first four qualifiers.

Their previous defeat came at home against Rwanda in Uyo last November, marking the Amavubi’s first-ever victory over Nigeria. That shocking loss piled pressure on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to take action, leading to the recent appointment of Éric Chelle as head coach. The Franco-Malian tactician was brought in to replace José Peseiro, whose contract was not renewed following a disappointing run of results.

Nigeria’s failure to secure wins on Rwandan soil has been another source of concern, with their last three visits to the Amahoro Stadium ending in draws. Their most notable previous encounter in Kigali was in 2004 when a 2006 World Cup qualifier ended 1-1.

With a squad boasting top European-based stars such as Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), and Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), the Super Eagles were expected to dominate their qualification group. However, inconsistency and tactical uncertainty have hampered their progress.

Rwanda’s Rise in Group C

While Nigeria has struggled, Rwanda has emerged as an unexpected contender in Group C. Before this match, the Amavubi were at the top of the table, unbeaten in their first four games (W2, D2). They have built their success on a solid defensive structure, conceding only one goal in four matches.

Despite their impressive run, Rwanda’s football history remains modest. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup and have only made one Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearance in 2004. However, with a young squad and strong home support, they have proven to be a difficult side to break down.

Rwanda’s coach Vincent Mashami had set up his team to frustrate Nigeria, aiming to repeat their historic victory in Uyo. However, the defensive plan fell apart early when Osimhen found the net in the 12th minute.

Match Summary

First Half: Nigeria Takes Control

Nigeria started on the front foot, with Osimhen opening the scoring with a header from Lookman’s free-kick. Rwanda struggled to cope with the Super Eagles’ attacking threats, and their goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, had to make a brilliant save to deny Moses Simon.

Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime with a well-taken goal, capitalizing on a defensive error and finishing with a deft chip over the goalkeeper.

Second Half: Nigeria Holds Firm

The second half saw Rwanda push forward in search of a way back, but Nigeria’s defense, led by William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey, remained solid. Osimhen had a chance to complete his hat-trick but missed an opportunity before being substituted late in the game.

Rwanda thought they had pulled one back in the 88th minute, but their goal was ruled out for offside. Nigeria saw out the remaining minutes comfortably to secure a crucial victory.

What This Means for Nigeria

This win marks a new beginning for Nigeria under Éric Chelle, giving the Super Eagles renewed hope in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, with just six points from five matches, they still have a lot of ground to cover in the remaining qualifiers.

With South Africa leading the group and only the top team guaranteed a World Cup spot, Nigeria will need to maintain momentum in their upcoming matches to stand a realistic chance of making it to the global tournament.