- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured a narrow 1-0 win against Rwanda to revive their hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was a tough battle between the Super Eagles and their Rwandan counterparts on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, as a lone goal from in-form striker, Tolu Arokodare, secured all three points for Nigeria.
The encounter which saw the two sides missing many chances saw new entrant, Arokodare, pushed the ball behind the Rwandan goalkeeper at the 52nd minute of the encounter.
For some minutes the Nigerian side had played 10 men after Victor Osimhen was brought down for a second time and was injured.
Osimhen had earlier scored a goal at the 8th minute which was ruled offside by the officials.
The Galatasary striker would be replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
Despite Osimhen’s absence, the resolute home team attempted to get an edge over Rwanda as Fulham’s Alex Iwobi forced the visitors’ goalkeeper to save a powerful long-range strike in the 35th minute.
The Super Eagles were however unable to break through Rwanda’s watertight defence in the early minutes of the second half until the introduction of Arokodare who replaced Frank Onyeka.
With just five minutes after coming on the pitch, the lanky striker who recently joined the English Premier League side, Wolves, stole the show as he broke the deadlock.
Arokodare scored his first competitive goal for Nigeria with an improvised finish inside the box after a snap effort from Ola Aina set up the opportunity.
With no other goal from both sides, the Super Eagles won all three points which moved them to the third position in Group C with 10 points in total.
They are however six points behind group leaders South Africa, who will host the Super Eagles next Tuesday in a highly anticipated showdown.