Super Eagles Secure Crucial Victory Against Rwanda
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria breathed new life into their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign after a crucial 1-0 victory against Rwanda on Saturday, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Forward Victor Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute. He arrived at the end of a left-footed slash by Ademola Lookman to toe-poke the ball past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. But his effort was ruled offside.
The Galatasaray striker was then taken off the game injured midway through the first period.
In the 13th minute, Ntwali showed why he is one of the most respected goalkeepers in East Africa when he dived at full stretch to divert a deceptive cross by Lookman.
Later in the half, the in-form goalkeeper denied good efforts by Simon Moses and Alex Iwobi.
Six minutes into the second half, the Super Eagles were rewarded for their efforts after opening the scoring. Arokodare, now with Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, slammed the ball against the sticks and into the net after a goalmouth scramble.
The former KRC Genk forward had brilliantly held the ball for Moses to dart past and send it into the box. His initial effort was blocked, but he followed up and reaped just reward in netting his second international goal.
Five minutes later, Cyriel Dessers failed to strike at once from a good Iwobi pass, while Arokodare and Ndidi saw their shots saved by Ntwali, before the Amavubi number one produced a masterclass to divert Simon Moses’ angled free-kick with 14 minutes left.
The match finished in favour of Nigeria as the Super Eagles secured a vital victory before Tuesday’s showdown against Bafana Bafana. The contest in South Africa’s judicial capital will be nothing short of a flaming war.
Nigeria are still in third place and six (6) points off the leaders South Africa. Benin Republic’s Cheetahs, in second place following their 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in Abidjan on Friday, have a final-day tango with the Super Eagles on 14th October.
