The Super Eagles recorded their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after defeating Rwanda 2-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday evening, Afrosport reports.
The game was the first official game for Malian coach Eric Chelle and he made his intentions clear by naming an attacking side led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
The Galatasaray and Atalanta forwards would go on to combine for the first goal in the 11th minute when the former latched on to the latter’s freekick to put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari for his first goal in his first appearance in these qualifiers.
Nantes winger Moses Simon was close to doubling the lead moments later after some nice interplay but Ntwari produced a brilliant save to stop the shot from going in.
Osimhen made it 2-0 in added time of the first half after skipping the challenge of a Rwandan defender which allowed him to dash into the box and chip the ball above the onrushing Ntwari.
It took the 2023 African Footballer of the Year’s tally to 25 goals in 40 international caps, moving him two goals clear of icon Segun Odegbami as the outright second-highest Nigerian goalscorer in history. He is now 13 goals shy of equalling Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record.
Rwanda showed more urgency at the start of the second half and had a chance to pull one back in the 52nd minute but Nigeria’s number one Stanley Nwabali was alert to quickly claim the ball.
Chelle’s charges were able to control the game afterwards which they comfortably saw out.
Mission Kigali done. Onto the Next One
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The result sees the Super Eagles leapfrog Lesotho to fourth spot after their 2-0 loss to neighbours South Africa in Polokwane.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to another must-win game against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.
