By Olaitan Ibrahim
A 51st minute strike by substitute Tolu Arokodare was enough to help the Super Eagles of Nigeria pick the maximum points in Saturday’s match against the Amavybi of Rwanda in 2026 World Cup qualifying series.
An early goal by Nigeria’s most lethal striker Victor Osimhen in the match which took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo against the visiting team that chose to “park the bus” was ruled for an offside by the referee.
Osimhen who later picked up an injury was in less than 30 minutes of play was replaced by the Panathinaikos forward, Cyriel Dessers, who did not make any significant impact in the game. It was the Wolverhampton Wanderers man, Arokodare who replaced Frank Onyeka that later broke the jinx.
Subsequent attempts to find the back of the net by the Nigerian players who played offensively were thwarted by the Rwandan solid defence.
With the win, Nigeria is now third on the Group C table with 10 points below South Africa, who leads with 13 points, and Benin Republic, who follows with 11 points.
Nigeria must win its last three matches to retain the hope of clinching a ticket to the World Cup. The Super Eagles will next face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Tuesday in an away match.