Forward Victor Osimhen, who had not played any part in the campaign previously, rose stoutly to the occasion and boldly revamped Nigeria’s campaign for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Super Eagles’ 2-0 win over Amavubi in Kigali on Friday did not take them to the top of group C of the African series, but it planted them back as one of the contenders in a pool in which they inexplicably fluffed nine of a possible 12 in their previous four matches. Turkish-based 2023 Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen played no part in any of those matches, for reasons of injury. Now, they have gone to six points, only four away from top-placed South Africa, who defeated Lesotho in a game played simultaneously as the one in Kigali.

On his first run-out in the campaign, it took Osimhen only 10 minutes to make a mark. Nigeria were awarded a free-kick on the left side of Rwanda’s area, and Ademola Lookman heaved it into the box where three white shirts were lurking. The best-placed of them, Osimhen, connected brilliantly and there was no attempt from goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Six months ago, Ntwari was the hero as he denied the Eagles on so many occasions, with their 2025 AFCON qualifying match at the same venue ending scoreless. As Osimhen wheeled away in celebration, the full house inside the magnificent Amahoro Stadium, who had sung and clapped endlessly for three hours, fell silent.

Nigeria continued to dominate. Three minutes later, captain William Ekong headed over from Lookman’s corner, and in the 24^th minute, France-based Simon Moses came close with an angled shot that Fiacre saw in good time and pushed over the sticks.

Two minutes into added time of the first period, Osimhen got his second. The Amavubi had launched another futile onslaught, and in a furious counter, Samuel Chukwueze headed the ball cleverly to beat the rearguard and set up Osimhen, who easily beat his marker and raced away, chipping the ball past a hapless Fiacre.

The three-time African champions spent the second half simply ensuring they controlled the pace of the game, as they look ahead to Tuesday’s home game against Zimbabwe on Day 6 of the qualification series.

In the event, Osimhen rose above Olusegun Odegbami in the number of goals for Nigeria: he now has 25 in 48 matches, making him second only to Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who netted 37 goals in 58 matches. Odegbami had 23, while Yakubu Ayegbeni scored 21 and Ikechukwu Uche and Obafemi Martins scored 19 and 18 goals each.

The Super Eagles contingent flew into Uyo on Saturday afternoon.

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The Super Eagles camp officially opened today in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital ahead their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria will take on Rwanda in matchday 5 of the World Cup race on Friday, March 21 by 5pm local time. The team will then fly back to Nigeria to wait for Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 25.

All team officials including manager Eric Chelle  arrived Kigali last night

Six Players are already in camp, the players are:  Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Kayode Bankole, Amas Obasogie and  Tolu Arokodare.

Nigeria, fifth on the group C log behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho, square up to leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

With three draws and a loss to their campaign, the Super Eagles will be looking at securing their first win when they take on top of the table Rwanda in Group C. South Africa play host to Lesotho in the same group, as they eye a vital victory that could see them top the group should the result in the Rwanda-Nigeria match go their way.

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