Osimhen’s Brace Secures Super Eagles' First World Cup Qualifier Win

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Busayo on Mar 22, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen delivered a stellar performance, scoring a first-half brace to propel the Super Eagles to a commanding 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

The triumph marks Nigeria’s first win in the World Cup qualifiers and a promising start for new head coach Eric Chelle, who took charge of the team following a series of disappointing results.

Chelle, in his debut game as Nigeria’s head coach, opted for an aggressive attacking setup featuring Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze leading the charge, with Alex Iwobi orchestrating play from midfield. The approach paid off handsomely as the Super Eagles asserted their dominance early on.

Osimhen’s Early Impact

Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Ademola Lookman delivered a pinpoint free-kick into the box, which was expertly converted by Osimhen. The Napoli striker showcased his trademark predatory instincts to guide the ball past Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, giving the Super Eagles an early advantage.

The visitors continued to pile pressure on Rwanda’s defense, creating numerous scoring chances. However, poor finishing and resilient goalkeeping by Ntwari prevented them from extending their lead.

Moses Simon came close to doubling Nigeria’s advantage when his deflected shot appeared destined for the net, only for Ntwari to pull off an incredible fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick.

Rwanda, after struggling to cope with Nigeria’s relentless attacking waves, gradually settled into the match. The Wasps had their first significant attempt in the 39th minute when Gilber Mugisha unleashed a long-range shot, but Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained alert and made a comfortable save.

Despite Rwanda’s growing confidence, Nigeria struck again in first-half stoppage time. Bright Osayi-Samuel sent a precise header from midfield to Osimhen, who effortlessly outpaced his marker before executing a brilliant chip over the advancing Ntwari to complete his brace in the 45+3rd minute.

Defensive Resilience Seals the Victory

Trailing by two goals, Rwanda came out strong in the second half, pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. However, Nigeria’s defensive line, led by Kenneth Omeruo and Semi Ajayi, remained composed under pressure.

Stanley Nwabali, making his presence felt in goal, pulled off a couple of key saves to deny Rwanda from finding a way back into the contest. The Super Eagles’ midfield also contributed to their defensive solidity, cutting off passing lanes and breaking up Rwanda’s attacking build-up.

The Wasps thought they had pulled a goal back late in the second half, but their effort was ruled out for offside. Nigeria then controlled possession in the closing stages, seeing out the match professionally to secure their first win of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Historic Away Win and Group C Standings

The victory is a historic one for Nigeria, as it marks their first-ever away win against Rwanda. It also serves as redemption for their shock 2-1 defeat to the same opponents in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo.

Coach Chelle’s tactical approach paid dividends, and he expressed his delight in the team’s performance while acknowledging the need for continued improvement as the qualifiers progress.

With this result, Nigeria now sits fourth in Group C with six points from five matches, keeping their World Cup qualification hopes alive. However, with four matches still to be played, the Super Eagles will need to build on this momentum to secure a place in the tournament.

Upcoming Fixture: Nigeria vs Zimbabwe

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their next World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe. The match is set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25, where Nigeria will aim to secure another crucial three points.