Nigeria Beat Rwanda 1-0 to Revive 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Hopes
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- 06.09.2025
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Nigeria Beat Rwanda 1-0 to Revive 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Hopes
for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought
1-0 victory against Rwanda in Uyo. The match, played at the
Godswill Akpabio Stadium, kept Nigeria’s hopes alive as
qualification from Group C reaches a tense climax.
A second-half strike from Tolu Arokodare, the
new Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, secured all three points
for the Super Eagles. Nigeria now leapfrogs Rwanda into third place,
trailing leaders South Africa by six points with three games remaining.
fixtures, leaving their qualification campaign under severe pressure.
The World Cup qualifying format ensures that only group winners
progress automatically, while the best four second-placed teams head into
playoff rounds.
The Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory was therefore vital.
It not only revived belief among fans but also kept alive the dream of
appearing at the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
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as a substitute at half-time. Known for his imposing physical presence,
Arokodare made an instant impact, scoring just six minutes into the second half.
His goal came in scrappy fashion: after his initial effort was blocked,
Ola Aina’s follow-up was parried by Rwanda’s goalkeeper
Fiacre Ntwari. Arokodare then reacted quickest,
firing the rebound into the net from close range.
The goal highlighted Nigeria’s need for a reliable focal point in attack,
especially with Victor Osimhen leaving the pitch injured earlier in the game.
Arokodare’s performance may have earned him a starting role in the upcoming
clash against South Africa
- 8th Minute: Victor Osimhen had the ball in the net but was flagged offside from Ademola Lookman’s cross.
- 34th Minute: Osimhen limped off with a knock to his lower left leg, raising injury concerns.
- 45th Minute: Moses Simon tested goalkeeper Ntwari, while Alex Iwobi’s curling effort was tipped over the bar.
- 51st Minute: Arokodare broke the deadlock with his close-range finish.
- 65th Minute: Ntwari pulled off a double save to deny Simon and Lookman.
- 82nd Minute: Calvin Bassey made a crucial block to prevent Rwanda from equalizing.
- 90+3 Minutes: Nigeria held firm during stoppage time to secure the win.
leapfrogging Rwanda. They remain six points behind South Africa,
who currently lead the group.
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 15 |
| 2 | Lesotho | 11 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 9 |
| 4 | Rwanda | 8 |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 7 |
| 6 | Eswatini | 4 |
Nigeria’s next fixture is against South Africa in Bloemfontein,
a must-win encounter to stay in the race for top spot.
If South Africa are eventually docked points for allegedly fielding
an ineligible player against Lesotho in March, Nigeria’s qualification
prospects could receive an additional boost.
The Super Eagles have played under three different managers
since the qualifiers began, resulting in instability and inconsistent performances.
Eric Chelle, who took over in January, has tried to
steady the ship. He picked up four points from his first two matches
but was left frustrated after a late Zimbabwe equalizer denied Nigeria
a vital win earlier in the campaign.
This inconsistency means that the upcoming clash with South Africa
will likely determine whether Nigeria qualifies automatically or faces
the uncertainty of the playoff route.
injury to Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker,
widely considered Nigeria’s most important player, left the pitch
in the first half clutching his lower left leg.
His availability for the South Africa game is now in doubt.
Should he miss out, Arokodare may be thrust into the starting XI,
supported by Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi.
To secure automatic qualification, they must:
- Defeat South Africa in Bloemfontein.
- Win their remaining two fixtures convincingly.
- Hope for favorable results, including potential sanctions against South Africa.
Failure to achieve top spot would leave Nigeria fighting for a playoff place,
where only one African team can qualify through the
intercontinental playoff route.
most fluent performance, but it was a vital result that breathed life
into their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
With just three games left, the pressure is on the
Super Eagles to deliver, especially in their
crunch clash against South Africa.
For now, Tolu Arokodare has emerged as an unexpected hero,
while the nation anxiously awaits updates on
Victor Osimhen’s fitness. The road to
North America 2026 is far from easy, but with determination
and discipline, Nigeria still has everything to play for.
