Nigeria were made to sweat for a 1-0 2026 World Cup qualifying win against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.
The win has propelled Nigeria to third place with 10 points, six fewer than Group C’s leaders, South Africa.
Although Rwanda looked quite solid, their defence was finally breached when the Super Eagles scored a scrappy goal early in the second half.
Meanwhile, Osimhen, after collecting a pass from Ademola Lookman, thought he had put his side in front in the eighth minute, but his goal was ruled offside.
The former Napoli star almost scored in the 20th minute, but Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, who made remarkable saves in the game, did well to block him and deny Nigeria from breaking the deadlock.
Stanley Nwabali and Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti were both yellow-carded in the 25th minute for losing their heads following a confrontation.
Nigeria finally registered a breakthrough in the 51st minute when Emmanuel Arokodare found the back of the net.
The Super Eagles were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Osimhen left the pitch for what appeared to be a serious injury, as his place was filled by Cyriel Dessers.
Osimhen’s absence denied Nigeria a sharp attacking focal point, given that he was a threat to the Rwanda side for the minutes he was on the pitch.
The 26-year-old was the scorer of the two goals against Amavubi in their last World Cup qualifier.
Fears are that the injury could sideline him for the upcoming match against South Africa.
The win has propelled Nigeria to third place with 10 points, six fewer than Group C’s leaders, South Africa.
Benin are second with 11 points, while Rwanda are fourth with eight. Lesotho, with only one win so far from seven qualifiers, are fifth, while winless Zimbabwe are at the bottom.
The Super Eagles will now travel to South Africa for a make-or-mar tie against their continental rivals, Bafana Bafana.
Bafana will host the Nigerians just four days after beating Lesotho to get the points that took them closer to achieving their World Cup qualification dream.
GOAL
