The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Rwanda in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. This hard-fought win marked their second victory of the qualifiers, keeping their slim hopes alive for a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The encounter proved challenging, with Éric Chelle’s men struggling to penetrate a disciplined Rwandan defense throughout the first half. A significant setback occurred in the 35th minute when star striker Victor Osimhen was forced off due to injury, with Cyriel Dessers coming on as his replacement. The first half concluded goalless despite Nigeria’s dominance in possession.

The breakthrough for Nigeria finally arrived in the 51st minute. Substitute Tolu Arokodare, a Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, bundled the ball over the line from a goalmouth scramble after Ola Aina’s low drive was parried, sending the Uyo crowd into raptures. Arokodare, who came on after the break, was later named Man of the Match for his decisive contribution, marking his second goal in four appearances for the Super Eagles. His physicality and close control proved a constant threat to the Rwandan defenders.

Coach Eric Chelle made several bold tactical decisions for the crucial match, notably leaving captain William Troost-Ekong on the bench from the start. Instead, 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick started in central defense alongside Calvin Bassey, and Wilfred Ndidi led the team as captain. Chelle defended his choices when questioned by the media, stating, “I don’t want to explain myself; this is my choice as a coach, and I respect and believe in all my players. This is my job.” Troost-Ekong was eventually brought on as a late substitute.

Despite injecting creativity with second-half substitutions like Arokodare and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nigeria's profligacy in front of goal meant they could not extend their lead. Rwanda, meanwhile, maintained a deep defensive posture for most of the game and failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, even during a late push. The Super Eagles were noted as being "far from impressive" during the game.

The victory propelled Nigeria up to third place in Group C with 10 points from seven matches. The team now faces a critical fixture against table-toppers South Africa (Bafana Bafana) on Tuesday. This upcoming match is considered "make-or-break," and Nigerian players will need to significantly step up their performance.

Several key takeaways emerged from the Rwanda game. Firstly, the match underscored that South Africa will present a much tougher challenge, requiring a more cohesive and effective formation from Chelle, particularly addressing the absence of a dedicated right-wing player. Secondly, Tolu Arokodare's performance solidified his position as a decent deputy for Victor Osimhen, especially with Osimhen's injury making him a doubt for the clash against South Africa. It would be logical for Chelle to consider starting him. Thirdly, the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology was highlighted as a "disgrace," as Nigeria appeared to be denied a legitimate goal by Osimhen due to an incorrect offside call that could not be reviewed.