By Ben Efe 6.9.2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles eked a 1-0 win over visiting Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Tolu Arokodare came from the bench in the second half to pop in the goal that calmed down frayed Nigerian nerves as the team’s struggled to subdue the Rwanda team. Super Eagles efforts felt like a punch against a brick wall.
It was largely due to an uninspiring display of accurate passing and positioning by a team, which seem to have a clear-cut strategy to make their opponents lose sight of the game and concede.
Victor Osimhen’s shot at goal from the right side was deflected and later on Ademola Lookman shot over the bar. Osimhen moments later hopped of the pitch after he was brought down in the Rwanda’s box. That only compounded the anxiety of the team and their fans.
However, at the break Eric Chelle brought on Arokodare and he indeed shook things up for the Super Eagles. He pounced on a loose ball after the Rwandans failed to tidy up in the 51st minute. Moses Simon came close, but his shot sailed over the bar after he was put through by Alex Iwobi.
The Super Eagles push for more goals failed to yield result despite playing most of the second half in the opponent’s side of the pitch.
In the 86th minute the moment of fright came for the Super Eagles, but they were lucky Rwanda striker Abeddy Biramahire missed, and Kevin Bassey cleared off the line to prevent what could have been another Zimbawe shocker. It was Nigeria first win in four matches at the venue and second win in seven games of the World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria held on to the slim win and must now beat Bafana Bafana on Tuesday and hope that other result come their way. South Africa top the group C with 16 points, Benin are second with 11 points and Nigeria have 10 points.
Arokodare... brings relief to a team hard pressed to deliver.