2026 World Cup race: Super Eagles record first away in two years over Rwanda

Posted : 22 March 2025

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, in a spirited display at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday, recorded a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi in Match Day 5 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

This victory marked Nigeria's first away win in two years. The Super Eagles last secured an away victory in 2023 with a match against Sierra Leone on foreign soil.

It was a day for the on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who scored twice to revive Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles started the match brightly, controlling proceedings from the outset.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, converting Ademola Lookman’s free-kick.

The former Napoli forward doubled Nigeria’s lead three minutes into first-half injury time, finishing off a counterattack to silence the packed Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Osimhen’s brace in Kigali brings his goal tally to 25, surpassing former captain Patrick Segun Odegbami’s 23 goals and closing in on the all-time record holder, the legendary Rashidi Yekini, with 37 goals.

Nigeria missed three other glaring chances in the one-sided game, and Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the next World Cup were further threatened.

Both sides made four changes each, with Nigeria pulling out some key players in the second half. Chukwueze replaced Onyedika, Ola Aina replaced Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel replaced Yusuf, and in the 77th minute, Victor Osimhen was substituted for newcomer Arokodare.

Nigeria made 3 shots on target and 3 off-target, with none from Rwanda. Nigeria also made 21 attacks to Rwanda’s 12, with 15 of Nigeria’s attacks deemed dangerous. Nigeria earned 8 corner kicks, 3 of which were taken by Lookman, with one header from Osimhen going off target. Captain Ekong also lost a corner kick opportunity.

In the other match, South Africa beat Lesotho 2-0 at home to climb up the group standings. Yesterday, Zimbabwe forced Benin Republic to a 2-2 draw on their home ground in the same group.

As of Friday night, South Africa leads Group C with 10 points, scoring 8 goals and conceding 5. Benin is second with 8 points, scoring 6 goals and conceding 5. Defeated Rwanda stands in third place with 7 points, scoring 3 goals and conceding 3. Nigeria follows with 6 points, scoring 6 goals and conceding 5. Lesotho is in 5th place with 5 points, scoring 3 goals and conceding 4, while Zimbabwe sits at the bottom with 3 points, scoring 4 goals and conceding 8.

Nigeria’s head-to-head record with Rwanda has been competitive, with six games played between both countries. Each country has won one match, with four drawn games.

On June 9, 2005, Rwanda played a 1-1 draw at home with Nigeria in the only World Cup match between them. In the four AFCON matches played, Rwanda played to a goalless draw at home with Nigeria on February 29, 2012, and Nigeria won the return match at Uyo 2-0. Two AFCON matches were played in 2024: one on January 10, which was goalless in Kigali, and the other on November 18, which Nigeria surprisingly lost 1-2 at home. However, a CAF match played on January 18, 2018, in Nigeria ended goalless.

Rwanda has four remaining World Cup matches: against Lesotho on Tuesday, March 25; against Nigeria on September 1, 2025; against Zimbabwe away on September 8, 2025; and at home against Benin Republic on October 6, 2025.

Nigeria also has four remaining World Cup matches: at Uyo against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25; at Uyo against Rwanda on September 1; away against South Africa on September 8; and away against Lesotho on October 6.

2026 World Cup race: Super Eagles record first away in two years over Rwanda

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