Éric Sékou Chelle’s tenure as Nigeria coach began with a first 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying appearance for Victor Osimhen, two goals for the striker, a clean sheet for the team, and a first win of the campaign, 2-0 vs. Rwanda, as the Super Eagles made a promising start on the road to redemption.
Nigeria were quick off the blocks in Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, pinning Rwanda in their defensive third of the pitch, and Osimhen turned the pressure into a goal after Moses Simon was fouled on the edge of the penalty area. Ademola Lookman delivered a perfect ball to the far post, and Osimhen timed his run to perfection to volley home.
Rwanda shifted the balance of the game towards the end of the first half, applying pressure on Nigeria as they sought a goal that would lift them and maybe deflate the Super Eagles going into the break.
That proved to be a mistake, however, especially with a marauding Osimhen lurking dangerously.
With Rwandan players going forward in attack, the Nigeria No. 9 was left isolated in a mismatch against a single defender, and the result was inevitable: The second goal followed just before half-time, and Rwanda were all but defeated at that point.
There were to be no further goals, and Nigeria secured an important first win of the campaign to get Chelle’s tenure off to a good start.
Beyond the result, though, there were good signs from the Super Eagles.
Nigeria had struggled for goals without Osimhen in the qualifying campaign, scoring just once in each of their opening four games.
The Galatasaray striker needed barely 11 minutes to remind fans of his importance to the Super Eagles.
He doubled his tally just before half-time, and could have had at least one more goal. Both goals were typical of the striker, featuring a combination of perfect timing, great positioning, and immaculate technique. For the first, he held his run from Lookman’s free kick to arrive just in time at the back post to guide home a half-volley. For the second, he showed determination, stretching every sinew to nick the ball off the defender with an outstretched toe before galloping away and scooping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
But Osimhen’s game was not just about his goals. His leadership and desire to help deep in his own territory were also on full display.
He was back defending Rwanda free kicks and corners, and urging his teammates to do the same; on one occasion, he almost physically pulled African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman to fall back quickly after a free kick had gone out of play.
Osimhen clearly led from the front as Nigeria’s performance embodied what Chelle wants from his players.
“I am very happy for the goals,” Osimhen said after the game. “Now the focus is on Zimbabwe so we keep going.”
Having dug themselves into a hole, the Super Eagles players had spent the past week trying to reassure fans that they could pull this chestnut from the fire.
ESPN
