Victor Osimhen delivered a match-winning performance, scoring twice to propel Nigeria to a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their Group C FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Friday in Kigali.

The Super Eagles had endured a frustrating start to their qualifying campaign, recording three draws and one loss in their previous four matches. However, Osimhen’s first-half brace (11′, 45+3′) ended the winless run and reignited Nigeria’s hopes of securing a spot in the prestigious tournament set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, latching onto a well-placed free kick from Ademola Lookman to break the deadlock. The Napoli striker continued his clinical display by doubling Nigeria’s lead just before halftime, finishing with a composed chip over the Rwandan goalkeeper following a precise assist from Bright Osayi-Samuel.

The victory marked an important milestone as it was Nigeria’s first-ever win on Rwandan soil after three previous attempts ended in draws. It also provided a major boost for newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle, who was overseeing his first official game in charge of the Super Eagles.

Following this crucial win, Nigeria now sits in fourth place in Group C with six points, just two points shy of a playoff qualification spot. Meanwhile, results from other matches in the group saw Zimbabwe hold Benin to a 2-2 draw, while South Africa secured a 2-0 victory over Lesotho, maintaining their position at the top of the table with 10 points—four ahead of Nigeria.

Chelle will now focus on maintaining the momentum as Nigeria prepares to face Zimbabwe in a must-win matchday six fixture on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. A victory in that game could further strengthen the Super Eagles' chances of qualification, making it a crucial encounter in their journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.