The Super Eagles of Nigeria reignited their bid for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda’s Wasps at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday. The crucial Group C clash, watched by a lively home crowd, saw Nigeria claim all three points to keep their qualifying campaign alive after a run of mixed results.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare emerged as the unlikely hero, breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute. The forward reacted quickest inside the box after Rwanda’s defenders failed to clear their lines, coolly slotting past the goalkeeper to hand Nigeria the lead. His decisive strike sparked jubilation in the stands and offered relief for head coach Finidi George, whose side had been under pressure to deliver following earlier stumbles in the qualifiers.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both teams showing caution and prioritizing defensive solidity given the stakes. Nigeria, boasting greater possession, struggled to carve out clear opportunities in the first half as Rwanda sat deep and relied on counterattacks to trouble the hosts. However, the Eagles’ persistence paid off shortly after the restart when Arokodare converted what proved to be the game’s only goal.
Following the breakthrough, Nigeria pushed for a second to kill off the contest but found Rwanda’s goalkeeper and backline resolute. The Wasps attempted to claw their way back into the match, launching a few dangerous forays into Nigeria’s half, but the Eagles’ defence stood firm to protect the slim advantage until the final whistle.
Before the encounter, Nigeria had been in a precarious position in Group C, sitting fourth with seven points from six matches, while South Africa stretched their lead to 16 points after a comfortable 3-0 win against Lesotho on Friday. The result in Uyo, however, has breathed new life into Nigeria’s campaign, moving them closer to the pack chasing qualification spots and restoring belief among the players and fans.
The victory also underlined the importance of squad depth, as Arokodare’s impact from the bench highlighted the attacking options available to the coaching crew. With crucial fixtures still to come, Nigeria must now build on this momentum to close the gap on the group leaders and secure a place at the global tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
While the win provides temporary relief, the Eagles remain under pressure to maintain consistency in the qualifiers. Their next matches will be pivotal, and the technical crew will be expected to address lingering concerns over creativity in midfield and sharper finishing in attack. For now, though, Nigeria can celebrate a vital three points that keep their World Cup dreams firmly on track.
