Game is over and the final score is Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria. Here is the match report.
2026 World Cup qualification Africa
0-2
Match Report
Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign is back on track following a 2-0 win over Rwanda on matchday five with Victor Osimhen scoring a brace.
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.
Furthermore, Nigeria hadn’t scored away to Rwanda in just under two decades, so there was plenty at stake for new manager Eric Chelle in his first game in charge since being appointed at the beginning of the year, replacing Augustine Eguavoen.
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.
Though the opening goal of the game came via a combination of a player tipped to return to England this summer and a player heavily linked with a Premier League transfer.
From Ademola Lookman’s free-kick, Osimhen peeled away to the back post, gambling on the delivery being inch-perfect, and made no mistake from close range to open his account in World Cup qualification.
Line-ups
Rwanda XI: Djihad Bizimana, Fitina Omborenga, Thierry Manzi, Innocent Nshuti, Ange Mutsinzi, Samuel Gueulette, Claude Niyomugabo, Fiacre Ntwari, Jojea Kwizera, Hakim Sahabo, Bonheur Mugisha
Subs: Kevin Muhire, Djabel Manishimwe, Gilbert Mugisha, Maxime Wenssens, Pierre Ishimwe, Clement Niyigena, Hadji Iraguha, Didier Mugisha, Jean Bosco Ruboneka, Anicet Ishimwe
Nigeria XI: W. Troost-Ekong, Iwobi, Aina, Moses Simon, Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Stanley Nwabali
Subs: Torunarigha, Joe Aribo, Umar, Igoh Ogbu, Alhassan Yusuf, Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare, Raphael Onyedika, Bruno Onyemaechi, Kayode Bankole, Amas Obasogie