Costly triumph: Nigeria return to battle for World Cup ticket, but lose Osimhen

The pressure was immense, but the Super Eagles didn't succumb! They needed a triumph over Rwanda to keep their World Cup hopes alive, and they did what was necessary.

The Wasps' custodian, Fiacre Ntwari, was magnificent throughout the game and prevented his team's more convincing defeat, but couldn't do anything in the 51st minute when Eric Chelle's golden sub and the new Wolverhampton striker, Tolu Arokodare, bagged the winner just six minutes after coming off the bench.

Nevertheless, this victory could be very costly for Nigeria, as Victor Osimhen was forced to leave the pitch after only 35 minutes due to an injury.

Even though Nigeria beat Rwanda in their first duel in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2-0 thanks to Victor Osimhen's brace, the Super Eagles were sitting a spot and a point behind the Wasps. Moreover, Eric Chelle's crew trailed a huge nine points to the table toppers South Africa and four points to the second-placed Benin, so today's clash in Uyo was a do-or-die game for the home team.

And Nigeria took the task as seriously as it gets. Osimhen even scored early in the game, but his deadlock-breaker was ruled out for offside. Still, it didn't discourage the Galatasaray striker, who had several attempts afterwards but failed to send the ball past Rwanda's keeper Fiacre Ntwari, as did Ademola Lookman.

Morocco trash Niger to become first African side to qualify for World Cup

Nigeria controlled the game, but the Wasps' sturdy defence didn't intend to succumb under pressure, keeping the two rivals level at the break. In general, the two teams were quite nervous during the first half - which is no wonder considering the importance of the match - as the referee showed as many as four yellow cards (three to the visitors).

However, the key moment of the first period occurred in the 35th minute, when Osimhen suffered an injury and had to be subbed out. Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers replaced him on the pitch, while both the Super Eagles and Galatasaray fans were left in fear.

During the break, Chelle made another sub, improving his team's offensive firepower, as he replaced Brentford's midfielder Frank Onyeka with the new Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare.

And the 24-year-old responded to the trust his boss gave him just six minutes later in the most ideal possible way - with an opener! The Super Eagles' left-back Bruno Onyemaechi did a massive job on the left flank, and Arokodare was the most managed best in a melee in Rwanda's box and gave his team a vital lead!

Despite the deadlock-breaker, the visitors weren't discouraged, as their magnificent custodian constantly kept their head above water. Nevertheless, his teammates in the attack failed to threaten Nigeria's defence, as Chelle's men managed to defend the lead Arokodare had given them and win key points, which significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

Yet, the duel in Bloemfontein against the group leaders, South Africa, on Tuesday (19.00) will be a genuine exam for the Super Eagles.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA

Wednesday

Seychelles - Gabon 0-4 (0-3)

/Bouanga 4, 34, 38, M'Bemba 89/

Thursday

Chad - Ghana 1-1 (0-1)

/Ecua 89 - Ayew 18/

Angola - Libya 0-1 (0-0)

/Al Mariami 48/

Guinea Bissau - Sierra Leone 1-1 (0-1)

/Balde 74 - Kamara 45+1/

Madagascar - Central African Republic 2-0 (1-0)

/Caddy 45+2,  Randrianantenaina 59/

Mauritius - Cape Verde 0-2 (0-1)

/Cabral 22, Borges 70/

Sao Tome - Equatorial Guinea 2-3 (2-0)

/Afonso 8 pen, 42 pen - Ganet 52, Salvador 61, Nabil 69/

Algeria - Botswana 3-1 (1-1)

/Amoura 33,  Bounedjah 71, 90+6 - Kopelang 43/

Cameroon - Eswatini 3-0 (3-0)

/Gamedze 6 (og), N'Koudou 25, Ebong 28/

Mali - Comoros 3-0 (1-0)

/Dorgeles 28, Doumbia 70 pen, Coulibaly 76/

Tunisia - Liberia 3-0 (1-0)

/Mastouri 5, Sassi 66, Saad 90+4/

Friday

Somalia - Guinea 0-3 (0-1)

/Guirassy 22, Othman 64 og, Camara O. 90+6/

South Sudan - DR Congo 1-4 (0-3)

/Majak 68 - Bakambu 13, 36, Mbuku 45+1, Wissa 57/

Kenya - Gambia 1-3 (0-3)

/Ogam 81 - Sinyan 12, Minteh 27, Barrow 38/

Namibia - Malawi 1-2 (0-1)

/Ndeunyema 86 - Mbulu 5, Mhango 53/

Benin - Zimbabwe 1-0 (0-0)

/Mounie 77/

Djibouti - Burkina Faso 0-6 (0-4)

/Irie 16, Tiendrebeogo 25, Tapsoba 36, 43, Quattara 59, 86 pen/

Lesotho - South Africa 0-3 (0-2)

/Nkota 15, Foster 63, Appollis 67/

Congo - Tanzania 1-1 (0-0)

/Moussavou 68 - Mwalimu 84/

Uganda - Mozambique 4-0 (0-0)

/Okello 48, Mato 70, 84, Capradossi 90/

Egypt - Ethiopia 2-0 (2-0)

/Salah 41 pen, Marmoush 45+2 pen/

Ivory Coast - Burundi 1-0 (1-0)

/Bayo 3/

Mauritania - Togo 2-0 (1-0)

/Yade 13, Abeid 68/

Morocco - Niger 5-0 (2-0)

/Saibari 29,38, El Kaabi 51, Igamane 69, Ounahi 85/

Senegal - Sudan 2-0 (2-0)

/Koulibaly 14, Sarr 41/

Saturday

Nigeria - Rwanda 1-0 (0-0)

/Arokodare 51/