UYO, Nigeria — Nigeria has secured a vital 1–0 victory over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, providing a significant boost to their hopes of reaching the tournament. The win at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was decided by a single goal from Tolu Arokodare.
The match remained a cautious, goalless affair throughout the first half. The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half when Arokodare capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area, calmly slotting it past the Rwandan goalkeeper to give the Super Eagles a crucial lead.
Despite Rwanda’s tactical adjustments in the second half, Nigeria’s defence, led by Calvin Bassey, held firm. The victory was particularly hard-fought following a setback in the first half when star striker Victor Osimhen was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, replaced by Cyril Dessers.
The result moves Nigeria to 10 points from seven matches in Group C. Rwanda remains on 8 points, making the race for a qualification spot even more tightly contested. The win was celebrated passionately by fans on social media, who praised the team’s resilience while also expressing concern for Osimhen’s injury.
Nigeria will now look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures as they aim to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.
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