By Abimbola Ologun
Victor Osimhen’s brace led Nigeria to a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their Group C fixture of the CAF World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
The Super Eagles’ talisman delivered a standout performance, propelling his team to an important three-point haul and bringing them closer to the final qualification stage of the competition.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Ademola Lookman. This early goal set the tone for Nigeria, providing them with a strong foundation in their pursuit of maximum points.
As the first half drew to a close, Osimhen struck again in the dying seconds of injury time (45+3′), further solidifying his place as the match’s standout player and ensuring Nigeria’s 2-0 win.
Although Nigeria dominated possession, registering three shots on target and eight corner kicks, the match was not without its moments of physicality. Rwanda’s David Bizimana was booked in the 46th minute, while Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi received a yellow card shortly after, in the 49th minute.
Despite showing resilience with 45% possession, Rwanda struggled to create meaningful scoring opportunities. Nigeria, on the other hand, maintained relentless pressure throughout the match, showcasing both their attacking strength and defensive solidity.
With this vital victory, Nigeria has moved up to fourth place in Group C, accumulating six points from five matches. South Africa currently leads the group with 10 points, while Benin occupies second place with 8 points. Despite the defeat, Rwanda remains in contention with 7 points.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will focus on their remaining fixtures as they aim to climb the standings and secure a spot in the next phase of qualification.
