World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria Suffer Victor Osimhen’s Setback In Scrappy 1-0 Win Over Rwanda

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Ahead of their crunchy World Cup qualifying showdown against Bafana Bafana of South Africa next Tuesday, the Super Eagles have suffered an injury blow to star striker Victor Osimhen.

On Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Galatasaray pointman was taken off injured in the first half as Nigeria scrapped past Rwanda 1-0 in their Group C qualifier.

With Keeper Fiacre Ntwari’s eye-catching display in this 2026 World Cup Qualification tie, the Super Eagles sweated and almost got frustrated on their own soil by hard-fighting Amavubi.

Ntwari, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa, shone brightly against star-studded Nigerian side, and the Coach Éric Chelle men were made to sweat for their narrow victory over the visitors.

The visiting Rwandans looked quite solid until their defence was finally breached when the Super Eagles scored a scrappy goal early in the second half.

But before departing the pitch following his injury, Osimhen, after collecting a pass from Ademola Lookman, thought he had put Nigeria in front in the eighth minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

Again, the former Napoli striker almost broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, but Keeper Ntwari, who made remarkable saves in the game, did well to block him and deny Nigeria from going ahead.

In the 25th minute, Stanley Nwabali and Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti were both yellow-carded for losing their heads following a confrontation.

The Super Eagles were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Osimhen left the pitch for what appeared to be a serious injury and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

It was not until the 51st minute that Nigeria finally registered the much-needed breakthrough when Emmanuel Arokodare found the back of the net.

But for Ntwari’s heroics between the visitors’ post, Nigeria would have registered a bigger scoreline. The keeper was hawk-eyed and ensured they did not concede more, even with sustained attacks from the Super Eagles

No doubt. Osimhen’s absence denied Nigeria a sharp attacking focal point, given the threat he posed to the Rwandans before the injury.

Scorer of the two goals against Rwanda in their last World Cup qualifier, fans are already expressing concerns that the 26-year-old Osimhen could be unavailable for the upcoming make or mar match against South Africa.

Meanwhile, the victory has propelled Nigeria to third place in the Group with 10 points, six fewer than Group C’s leaders, South Africa.

Benin Republic are second with 11 points, while Rwanda are fourth with eight. Lesotho, with only one win so far from seven qualifiers, are fifth, while winless Zimbabwe are at the bottom.

Next on line for the Super Eagles is visiting South Africa to battle their continental rivals, Bafana Bafana.

Bafana will be hosting Nigeria on Tuesday, September 9, just four days after beating Lesotho to amass the necessary point that edge them closer to achieving their World Cup qualification dream.