AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, led by new boss Eric Chelle finally secured their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda.
Here are three things we learnt from the victory.
Osimhen remains the main man
Osimhen remains far and away the team’s best player, and he proved it here with two clinical finishes. After missing the opening three matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers through injury, the red-hot striker was ready to help the team secure their first victory, and he showed this by arriving very early to camp.
He certainly showed he is in a class of his own after grabbing a brace in this game to take his tally for Nigeria to 25 goals. Nigeria needed him, Eric Chelle needed him, and he delivered.
Eric Chelle’s system paid off
Chelle named a strong starting XI, featuring many players with Premier League experience.
Ola Aina lined up at left-back, Alex Iwobi partnered Wilfred Ndidi in midfield and Calvin Bassey continued his partnership with captain, and former Watford star William Troost-Ekong in central defence. It was a very narrow 4-2-3-1, with Ademola Lookman just floating behind Osimhen, and Samu Chukwueze and Moses Simon acting as inside forwards.
The system paid off and could be crucial against Zimbabwe.
World Cup hopes restored
The Super Eagles were under serious pressure to claim all three points in Kigali on Friday afternoon as they arrived at the Stade Amahoro sitting fifth in Group C – five points off the automatic qualification spot – after failing to win any of their first four games.
This result coupled with South Africa’s win over Lesotho sees Rwanda slip one place to third. The Super Eagles, however, are up to fourth and a point behind their opponents as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in another huge fixture next week.
