Tolu Arokodare Strikes As Super Eagles Edge Rwanda To Revive World Cup Qualification Push
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Nigeria’s Super Eagles kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Substitute Tolu Arokodare emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal early in the second half to secure all three points.
The game began with Nigeria asserting dominance. Victor Osimhen tested the Rwanda goalkeeper as early as the 3rd minute, though his effort lacked the power to cause problems. The Galatasaray forward thought he had given Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute with a simple tap-in, only for the assistant referee to rule it out for offside.
Wilfred Ndidi tried his luck in the 15th minute with a low drive that sailed wide, while Moses Simon’s attempt in the 30th minute was blocked by Rwanda’s resilient defence.
A major setback struck in the 34th minute when Osimhen limped off after a rough challenge from a Rwanda defender, forcing coach Finidi George to introduce Cyriel Dessers. Alex Iwobi came close to breaking the deadlock a minute later, but his long-range strike was smartly saved by Rwanda’s goalkeeper.
At halftime, Finidi reshuffled his pack, bringing on Tolu Arokodare for Frank Onyeka. The Genk striker made an instant impact, breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute with a well-executed scissors kick right on the goal line, sending the Uyo crowd into raptures.
The Super Eagles continued to pile on the pressure. Simon nearly doubled the lead in the 63rd minute, but his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper, while Ademola Lookman’s follow-up effort failed to hit the target. Minutes later, Ndidi’s strike was also parried away as Rwanda’s shot-stopper stood firm.
In the 75th minute, Simon’s curling free-kick forced yet another fine save from the impressive Rwanda goalkeeper, who kept the visitors in the contest until the final whistle.
To secure the result, Finidi introduced fresh legs late on, with William Troost-Ekong and Bright Osayi-Samuel replacing Ola Aina and Dessers in the 87th minute. Nigeria held firm to see out the win.
The result means the Super Eagles move to third place in Group C with 10 points from seven matches, trailing leaders South Africa (16 points) and Benin Republic (11 points). With three games remaining, Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup remain alive, but the team faces a tough battle to secure one of the automatic qualification spots.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
