2026 W/Cup Qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Break Kigali Jinx With Crucial Win Over Rwanda

In a thrilling encounter on matchday five of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Nigeria’s Super Eagles overcame their Kigali foes, defeating Rwanda 2-0 at the Stade Amahoro Stadium on Friday evening.

The victory marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian team, as they had struggled to secure wins in the Rwandan capital in all their three previous outings.

The Super Eagles took control of the match early, with star striker Victor Osimhen showcasing his prowess. He netted the first goal in the 11th minute, sending a powerful shot past the Rwandan goalkeeper and igniting hopes for the Nigerian fans. As the first half progressed, Nigeria maintained their momentum, creating several scoring opportunities despite losing possession to the host.

Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break with a narrow scoreline, Osimhen struck again. In the 5th minute of added time, he found the back of the net for the second time, doubling Nigeria’s lead and sending the Super Eagles into halftime with a comfortable advantage.

The second half saw Rwanda pushing forward in search of a goal, but Nigeria’s defence held firm, stifling any attempts to cut the deficit. The Super Eagles managed to control the tempo of the game, ensuring that the Rwandan team struggled to find their rhythm.

With this victory, Nigeria has solidified its position in the qualifying standings with six points from five matches. South Africa now top the group with 10 points following a 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday.

Benin Republic are second on the log with eight points, Rwanda third with seven points and Nigeria in fourth position. Lesotho are fifth spot with five points while Zimbabwe occupied bottom spot with three points after five round of matches.

The Friday’s victory not only breaks the Kigali jinx but also highlighted the growing synergy within the Super Eagles as they aim to secure ticket to the 2026 World Cup after missing the last edition in Qatar.

Super Eagles’ next match is against Zimbabwe on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.