Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score the only goal as the Super Eagles defeated Rwanda 1-0 in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Saturday, Afrosport reports.
Heading into the game, Eric Chelle’s men were nine points behind Group C leaders South Africa, who defeated Lesotho 3-0 in Bloemfontein on Friday. They were quick off the blocks when Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen put the ball into the net but it was flagged for offside.
Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi tried his luck from range in the 15th minute, but his his effort just went wide.
A breeze of silence heralded the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, when Osimhen went down in discomfort in the 26th minute, following a challenge from a Rwanda defender. The Eagles’ No. 9 was ultimately taken off and replaced by Panathinaikos forward Cyriel Dessers.
Paris FC winger Moses Simon had a shot on target in the 30th minute but Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was there to easily claim it. Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi was the next to try his luck from range, but his effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
With the game goalless at halftime and Nigeria in need of a goal, Chelle brought in Arokodare for Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka after the break. The new Wolverhampton Wanderers striker grabbed the much-needed goal from close range in the 51st minute after a goal-mouth melee.
Simon had another opportunity to put Nigeria 2-0 up in the 63rd minute, but had it was saved by Ntwari, who was there again to keep out an effort from Ademola Lookman and Ndidi afterwards.
Rwanda came close to equalising in the 73rd minute but Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali easily gathered before Ntwari kept out a Nigerian threat two minutes later.
Phewwww 😮💨 and it’s +3!#SoarSuperEagles #Naija4thewin
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 6, 2025
Nigeria held on for the win, and the three-time African champions will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s trip to Bloemfontein, where they will face South Africa in another crucial game.
