How Super Eagles Defeated Rwanda To Claim Their Second Win Of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles Nigeria beat Rwanda 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

In a tense encounter, Eric Chelle’s men struggled to break down a compact Rwandan defence in the first half, with star striker Victor Osimhen forced off injured in the 35th minute and replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Ola Aina’s low drive was parried into the path of substitute Tolu Arokodare, who bundled the ball over the line to send the Uyo crowd into raptures.

Chelle made several bold calls on the night, leaving captain William Troost-Ekong on the bench from the start, while Wilfred Ndidi led the team.

Arokodare and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru came on in the second half to inject creativity, but Nigeria’s profligacy in front of goal meant they could not double their advantage.

Rwanda, who defended deeply for most of the game, failed to trouble Stanley Nwabali in goal despite a late push.

The hard-fought win moves Nigeria up to third place in Group C with 10 points from seven matches, keeping their slim hopes alive for a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The Super Eagles will now travel to face table toppers South Africa on Tuesday, knowing another victory could push them further up the standings.

Meanwhile, below are the things we learnt from the game against Rwanda

• South Africa will be a tougher test: The Super Eagles were far from impressive yet again against the Rwandans, and it all seemed to stem from Eric Chelle’s formation, which did not have a player manning the right wing.

The game against South Africa is make-or-break, and Nigerian players will have to step it up against Bafana Bafana.

• Arokodare is a decent deputy for Osimhen: Fresh from signing for Wolves, Arokodare put his name in the headlines, scoring the winner for Nigeria.

It is the second time he has come off the bench to find the back of the net. And with Victor Osimhen likely to miss the trip to South Africa, it would make sense for Chelle to give him a start.

• Absence of VAR a disgrace: For the second time in the qualifying series, the Eagles have been denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal, simply because there is no Video Assistant Referee, VAR.

At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Osimhen seemed to have given Nigeria the lead, but the linesman raised his flag. Replays showed he was onside. But there was no VAR check available.